The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals has cautioned the National Assembly against proceeding with proposed amendments to laws governing health regulatory councils, warning that the changes could create divisions within the healthcare system and undermine professional independence.
The position was contained in a communiqué issued after the union’s National Executive Council meeting, which was held virtually and attended by representatives from health institutions across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as leaders of affiliated healthcare professional associations.
According to the union, the proposed amendments seek to place medical and dental practitioners in supervisory roles over other healthcare professions, a move it described as discriminatory and detrimental to the principle of professional autonomy.
NUAHP argued that healthcare professions operate within distinct areas of expertise and should continue to be regulated independently through their respective professional councils. The union warned that the proposed framework could create what it described as an “apartheid regime” within the health sector by elevating one profession above others in matters of regulation and governance.
The union also called on lawmakers to suspend consideration of the Health Sector Executive Bills 2026, noting that some of the issues contained in the proposed legislation are currently the subject of ongoing court cases.
Citing Senate Standing Order 52(5), NUAHP maintained that legislative deliberations on matters already before the courts could prejudice the interests of parties involved in the litigation and should therefore be deferred pending judicial determination.
On broader national issues, the union urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to implement far-reaching reforms aimed at tackling rising energy costs, economic hardship, and growing insecurity across the country.
The organisation attributed many of the nation’s economic challenges to the inability of successive administrations to ensure the effective operation of local refineries and expand domestic petroleum production, leaving the economy vulnerable to external shocks and fluctuations in global energy markets.
NUAHP further expressed dissatisfaction over what it described as the federal government’s failure to fully implement agreements reached with health workers following the suspension of an 84-day strike by the Joint Health Sector Unions in November 2025.
The union specifically cited the non-implementation of the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure, which it said formed part of the agreement that led to the suspension of the industrial action in February 2026.
Despite the concerns, the union’s leadership assured members that discussions with relevant government ministries, departments, and agencies are ongoing, expressing optimism that the outstanding agreements would be implemented and working conditions for health professionals improved.