- The Joint Health Sector Unions called off its strike after an emergency NEC meeting in Abuja
- The decision followed FG–JOHESU conciliation talks at the Labour Ministry in Abuja
- The union said the strike was suspended to allow implementation of settlement terms which includes CONHESS review, 2026 budget provisions and salary payments
The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) suspended its nationwide industrial action 84 days after it began, following resolutions reached with the Federal Government.
The decision was taken at the union’s expanded National Executive Council (NEC) emergency meeting held in Abuja on Friday, February 6.
The meeting reviewed the outcome of a Federal Government–JOHESU conciliation session conducted a day earlier at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
In a communiqué issued after the deliberations, JOHESU said the strike was suspended to “allow for the implementation of the FG-JOHESU Terms of Settlements.”
The union had embarked on the strike on November 15, 2025. By its 84th day, the action had crippled activities in public hospitals nationwide, leaving patients stranded and forcing many to seek medical care outside government-owned facilities.
JOHESU, which represents health professionals in pharmacies, laboratories and other support services, had insisted the strike would continue until the Federal Government implemented the report of the Technical Committee on the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), submitted in 2021.
The prolonged shutdown also prompted the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to issue a 14-day ultimatum in solidarity with the striking workers.
While outlining the outcomes of the reconciliation talks, the union’s leadership disclosed that it was agreed that, “the ongoing CBA negotiation, shall be structured to appraise all identified defects, gaps and implementation failures especially between 2009 and 2026.
“Outstanding issues connected to the implementation of the adjustment of CONHESS shall kick start the CBA under the exclusive auspices of JOHESU members without any delay.
“Budgetary allocation to take care of the implementation of the adjustment of CONHESS must form a cardinal part and projection of the 2026 Appropriation Act based on the existing template provided by the Technical Committee report of the High level body of the Federal government set-up by the FMoH in 2021.
“Immediate withdrawal of the ‘NO WORK, NO PAY’ directive issued in relation to the JOHESU Strike. Sequel to the above, the January 2026 salaries of JOHESU members must be paid immediately.
“No member of JOHESU/AHPA that participated in this current strike shall be victimized, sanctioned or intimidated on the basis of their involvement in the strike.”
According to the union, after extensive deliberations on the settlement terms, the expanded NEC unanimously voted to suspend the indefinite strike to enable the implementation of the agreements reached with the Federal Government.
In concluding its communiqué, JOHESU expressed gratitude to prominent Nigerians and institutions that intervened in the national interest. Those acknowledged included Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ipalibo Banigo; Chairman of the House Committee on Health Institutions, Hon. Amos Magaji; members of the Committee of CMDs and MDs; leaders of professional bodies; and traditional rulers, particularly the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Enitan, Ojaja II.
The union also thanked the national leadership of the NLC and TUC for their “intervention, support and solidarity” throughout the strike.
JOHESU further appreciated Nigerians for their patience during the disruption, noting that persistent injustice and a lack of trust had led to the “unfortunate and avoidable” action. 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.”