JOHESU SUSPENDS 84-DAY STRIKE AFTER AGREEMENT WITH FG

The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has suspended its 84-day nationwide strike following agreements reached with the Federal Government.

The decision was announced on Friday in a communiqué jointly signed by the JOHESU National Chairman, Kabiru Ado-Minjibir, and National Secretary, Martin Egbanubi, after an emergency expanded National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja.

JOHESU said the NEC reviewed the outcome of a February 5 conciliation meeting convened by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, where both parties resolved to begin negotiations on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and immediately prioritise unresolved issues surrounding the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) adjustment.

According to the union, the Federal Government also agreed to make budgetary provisions for the CONHESS salary adjustment in the 2026 Appropriation Act, based on an existing technical committee template.

The communiqué added that the government committed to withdrawing the “No Work, No Pay” directive issued against striking members and to the immediate payment of January 2026 salaries.

“No JOHESU member will be victimised, sanctioned or intimidated for participating in the industrial action,” the union stated.

Following the review, the NEC unanimously approved the suspension of the strike and directed all JOHESU members across federal and state health institutions to resume work immediately.

The strike, which began on November 15, 2025, was triggered by the non-implementation of CONHESS adjustments and other outstanding welfare demands.

JOHESU noted that the prolonged industrial action severely disrupted healthcare delivery nationwide, contributing to rising maternal and infant mortality, while the Federal Government reportedly lost nearly ₦1 trillion in revenue.

The union said the conciliation meeting followed a 14-day ultimatum issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

The meeting was attended by the Ministers of Labour, Finance and Health, as well as officials of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.

JOHESU commended the intervention of the National Assembly leadership, traditional rulers and professional bodies, urging the Federal Government and states to fully implement the agreements to avert future strikes in the health sector.