JOHESU suspends nationwide strike after 84 days following agreement with FG

The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has called off its nationwide strike, ending an industrial action that kept public health services disrupted for 84 days.

Union leaders reached the decision on Friday after an expanded emergency meeting of the national executive council (NEC) in Abuja. They met to assess the outcome of Thursday’s conciliation talks with the federal government at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

JOHESU launched the indefinite strike on November 15, 2025, accusing the federal government of repeatedly failing to implement the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and neglecting long-standing welfare and systemic concerns in the health sector.

In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the union said it suspended the strike to give room for the execution of the agreements reached with the government.

“After exhaustive deliberations, the expanded NEC unanimously voted to suspend the ongoing nationwide strike and allow for the implementation of the FG–JOHESU terms of settlement,” the communiqué said.

The union thanked Nigerians for their patience and acknowledged the hardship caused by the shutdown of health services. It said a breakdown of trust and persistent injustice forced the strike, urging authorities to act more responsibly to avoid similar crises.

JOHESU leaders revealed that negotiations intensified in January, with review meetings held on January 15 and 22 with officials of the Federal Ministry of Health. During those sessions, both sides exchanged proposals aimed at resolving the dispute.

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The breakthrough came on February 5, 2026, when an emergency conciliation meeting took place following a 14-day ultimatum issued by the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Under the agreement, the federal government committed to capturing funding for the CONHESS adjustment in the 2026 Appropriation Act. Officials also agreed to withdraw the “no work, no pay” directive and immediately pay January 2026 salaries owed to JOHESU members.

JOHESU also secured assurances that authorities would not victimise or sanction any worker who joined the strike.

The union represents thousands of health and allied workers nationwide, including members of the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria, the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, and non-academic staff unions in teaching hospitals and research institutions.

Oluwatosin Ogunjuyigbe is a writer and journalist who covers business, finance, technology, and the changing forces shaping Nigeria’s economy. He focuses on turning complex ideas into clear, compelling stories.

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