JOHESU suspends nationwide strike

The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has suspended its nationwide strike after 84 days, following agreements reached with the Federal Government on outstanding welfare and salary issues.

The decision was taken at the end of an expanded National Executive Council (NEC) emergency meeting held in Abuja on Friday.

The meeting was convened to review the outcome of a conciliation session between the Federal Government and JOHESU held on Thursday at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

JOHESU had embarked on an indefinite nationwide strike on November 15, 2025, citing what it described as the Federal Government’s failure to implement the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), alongside other unresolved welfare and systemic challenges affecting health workers.

In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the union said the strike was suspended to allow the implementation of agreements reached with the government.

“After exhaustive deliberations and review of the terms of settlement of the conciliation meeting, the expanded NEC session voted unanimously to suspend the ongoing indefinite nationwide strike action to allow for the implementation of the FG–JOHESU terms of settlement,” the communiqué stated.

The union thanked Nigerians for their patience during the industrial action, while stressing that the strike was avoidable.

“While appreciating the masses for their understanding throughout the period of the industrial action, we appeal to consumers of health that a recurring infliction of injustice and a huge trust deficit necessitated this unfortunate and avoidable JOHESU nationwide strike,” the communiqué said.

It added, “We hope that the Federal Government as well as other state governments show both sensitivity and responsibility in ensuring Nigerians avoid this depth of suffering in the foreseeable future.”

JOHESU said two review meetings were held during the strike, on January 15 and January 22, with the Federal Ministry of Health, in a bid to resolve the trade dispute.

According to the union, its leadership presented a proposal at the January 22 meeting following deliberations by the expanded NEC, while the Ministry of Health also submitted a counter-proposal.

“The third meeting was the emergency conciliation meeting convened on February 5, 2026, arising from the 14-day ultimatum issued by the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria and the Nigeria Labour Congress to the Federal Government on the implementation of the adjustment of CONHESS,” the communiqué said.

JOHESU said it was agreed that budgetary provisions for the implementation of the adjusted CONHESS would be captured in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

It also said the Federal Government agreed to withdraw the “no work, no pay” directive and ensure the immediate payment of January 2026 salaries owed to JOHESU members.

According to the communiqué, the parties further agreed that no JOHESU member who participated in the strike would be victimised or sanctioned.

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