The Domestic Unit of the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE) at the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has reportedly issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Authority’s management to reverse the transfer of its chairman from Abuja to Kano, amid a dispute over staff welfare.
The union is demanding the reversal of the transfer and renewed engagement with management over workers’ welfare concerns, warning that failure to address the issues could lead to lawful industrial action.
The development follows months of reported disagreements between the union and NHIA management over remuneration, promotion, allowances, staff training and other conditions of service.
In a letter reportedly sent to the Authority by NUBIFIE’s national leadership, the union called for the immediate reversal of the chairman’s transfer within seven days, while urging management to address the concerns raised by its members.
The union’s position is that the transfer should be reconsidered and that management should engage with its representatives to resolve the dispute through dialogue.
Meanwhile, a source at the Authority’s headquarters in Abuja, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, also expressed concern about staff welfare and the atmosphere surrounding discussions on working conditions.
According to him, some employees are reluctant to speak openly about their concerns for fear of possible repercussions.
He also questioned the adequacy of the salary review implemented by the Authority, particularly in view of rising living costs.
“How can the Federal Government increase the minimum wage by 133% and then you give us a paltry 30% in the Authority after 12 years, given the prevailing harsh economic condition in the country and the present tax regime?” the officer asked.
The source also cited alleged staff stagnation, the discontinuation of disengagement allowances, reduced access to capacity-building programmes and delays in the payment of allowances as issues of concern.
Another staff member familiar with the situation described the financial difficulties reportedly faced by some employees.
“Yes, it is true that NHIA staff are seriously suffering. Staff cannot meet basic needs such as transportation, payment of children’s school fees and house rent. Even the Directors are just suffering and smiling,” the staff member said.
The employee also raised concerns about the absence of a clearly established condition of service governing staff entitlements and career progression.
“Will you believe that this organisation does not have a Condition of Service? We are just on auto-pilot. NHIA should not be run without a Condition of Service that should basically address the welfare of staff, define promotion criteria, regulate allowances and protect workers from arbitrary decisions,” the staff member added.
The claims could not be independently verified, and the Authority’s management had yet to provide its response to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
The dispute also comes against the backdrop of concerns expressed by some staff members over the use of external consultants and what they described as insufficient utilisation of the experience and expertise of existing employees.
Some workers alleged that the practice had contributed to concerns about staff morale and professional development.
However, the claims concerning the use of consultants, staff development and the treatment of employees could not be independently confirmed.
The union’s intervention has raised the prospect of an industrial dispute if the disagreement over the chairman’s transfer and broader welfare concerns remains unresolved.
NUBIFIE has indicated that it may mobilise its members for lawful industrial action if management fails to meet its demands within the stipulated period.
It was gathered that the dispute has implications for industrial relations within the NHIA, a key institution in Nigeria’s health insurance system.
The Authority is also involved in implementing the Federal Government’s health sector reform agenda, including initiatives under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).
Against this background, the staff welfare concerns, if unresolved, could affect employee morale and relations between management and workers.
The union’s position is that improved working conditions and constructive engagement are necessary to sustain staff commitment to the Authority’s responsibilities.
Efforts to obtain the NHIA management’s response were unsuccessful before publication.
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment may also be called upon to facilitate dialogue between the parties should the disagreement escalate.
