JOHESU Suspends 84-Day Strike, Orders Immediate Nationwide Resumption
The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has suspended its 84-day Nationwide strike following a successful conciliation meeting with the Federal Government, directing all members across the Country to resume work with immediate effect.
The industrial action, which commenced on November 15, 2025, involved Non-physician heyalth workers, including Laboratory Scientists, Pharmacists and other allied Health Professionals. JOHESU embarked on the indefinite strike over the Federal Government’s failure to implement the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and address other long-standing welfare concerns.
According to Global Mirror News gathered, the decision to suspend the strike was reached at an expanded National Executive Council (NEC) emergency hybrid meeting held on Friday February 6 in Abuja.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the Union explained that the suspension would allow a four-month consultation period on the High-Level Committee Report on the CONHESS adjustment, as well as engagements by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Committee on allowances.
The communiqué, signed by JOHESU National Chairman, Kabiru Minjibir, and National Secretary, Martin Egbanubi, stated that after exhaustive deliberations and a thorough review of the terms of settlement from the conciliation meeting, the expanded NEC unanimously voted to suspend the ongoing strike to enable the implementation of the FG–JOHESU agreements.
Global Mirror News gathered that key resolutions from the agreement include the immediate commencement of negotiations on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement and the prioritisation of all outstanding issues related to the adjustment of CONHESS.
It was also agreed that budgetary provisions for the salary adjustment would be captured in the 2026 Appropriation Act, using the existing technical committee template.
The Union further disclosed that the Federal Government has agreed to withdraw the “No Work, No Pay” directive earlier issued against striking workers.
In addition, January 2026 salaries for all JOHESU members are to be paid immediately, with assurances that no member will be victimised, sanctioned or intimidated for participating in the industrial action.
“Following a review of the resolutions, the expanded National Executive Council unanimously approved the suspension of the indefinite nationwide strike and directed all JOHESU members in Federal and State Health Institutions to resume work immediately,” the communiqué stated.
Global Mirror News also learnt that the prolonged strike significantly disrupted healthcare delivery Nationwide, reportedly leading to increased maternal and infant mortality.
Public hospitals across the Country were severely affected, while the Federal Government was said to have lost nearly one trillion naira in revenue during the period of the strike.
The conciliation meeting was convened by the Ministry of Labour and Employment after the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government.
Ministers of Labour, Finance and Health, alongside officials of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, were in attendance.
JOHESU commended the interventions of the leadership of the National Assembly, traditional rulers and professional bodies in resolving the dispute.
The Union urged both the Federal and State Governments to ensure full implementation of the agreements reached to prevent future industrial actions in the health sector.
