FG appeals to JOHESU to avert strike, clarifies position

The Federal government has urged the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) to call off its over two-month-old indefinite strike and allow negotiations to continue in the interest of the health sector and the Nigerian public.

It also refuted some of the claims by JOHESU, while emphasising that when its sustained engagements with the union are contextualised against the ultimatum by the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), there is a clear mismatch.

The Nation reports the two unions warned that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare would bear full responsibility for any disruption arising from its failure to act within the ultimatum period.

However, in response to the two unions’ two-week ultimatum, the government, in a statement on Saturday by Alaba Balogun, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry, reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to sustaining industrial harmony in Nigeria’s health sector, while clarifying the issues at stake.

“This is further to JOHESU’s earlier ultimatum to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, demanding an adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) in the same manner as was implemented for the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), which culminated in the ongoing strike action by JOHESU, which commenced on 14 November 2025. 

“In its recent statement, the labour centres alleged that the Ministry deliberately refused to implement the report of the Technical Committee on the adjustment of CONHESS submitted in 2021.

“They further alleged that the delay amounts to institutional disrespect to health workers and organised labour and consequently issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government through the Ministry,” the government said.

Responding to the allegations, the government said it has remained responsive to the concerns of health workers in a manner that ensures uninterrupted healthcare delivery, promotes equity and teamwork across professional cadres, and sustains industrial harmony for the long-term good of the country.

“There is absolutely no truth in the allegations of deliberate refusal to implement the Technical Committee’s report, nor is there any discrimination against any category of health workers,” the government emphasised.

Countering the union’s claims, the Ministry affirmed that “Contrary to these claims, the Federal Government has, since the commencement of the industrial action, held several conciliatory meetings with JOHESU, both at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, aimed at resolving the dispute amicably. 

“These meetings are being held despite the action of JOHESU in approaching the National Industrial Court of Nigeria to intervene in the dispute.

“Notably, a high-level conciliatory meeting convened on Thursday 15 January 2026, initiated by the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, formed part of sustained efforts by the Federal Government to de-escalate tensions and arrive at a mutually acceptable resolution.

“The Ministry states unequivocally that it reached a tentative understanding with JOHESU on a framework for resolving the lingering trade dispute, at the meeting held on 15 January 2026”.

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For emphasis, the Ministry presented a factual account of the meeting between it and JOHESU, noting, “At the meeting, JOHESU presented proposals which included the implementation of the 2021 report of the Technical Sub-Committee of the High-Level Body (HLB) chaired by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), which recommended an adjustment of CONHESS.

“The unions also called for the immediate withdrawal of the “No Work, No Pay” circular, insisting that it should not apply to their members, in line with the position earlier canvassed by the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), among other demands”.

Consequently, the Ministry said it had appealed to JOHESU to maintain the status quo while the NSIWC concludes its ongoing job evaluation exercise, which is aimed at determining the appropriate placement of all health professionals in line with the Ministry’s commitment to collective bargaining and evidence-based decision-making. 

“In reaching the decision of maintaining the status quo pending the completion of the job evaluation, the ministry took into cognizance the conflicting positions of the union/association in the sector based on the MOUs/agreements signed with the federal government in the past. 

“The job evaluation exercise, which commenced in November 2025, is expected to last six months and will pave the way for discussions on salary adjustments as well as the reconvening of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA),” the statement added.

On the issue of “No Work, No Pay”, the Ministry emphasizes that its position is that if JOHESU calls off the strike in good faith, the matter would be handled administratively in its entirety.

“To further demonstrate its commitment to industrial harmony, the Ministry affirmed its willingness to accommodate the NLC and TUC in subsequent engagements and raised no objection to their continued participation in the dialogue process. 

“Since the meeting of 15 January 2026 the ministry held two other meetings on 20th and 22nd January 2026 to conclude on issues agreed on at the meeting of 15th January 2026 with a view for JOHESU to call off the ongoing strike action.

“Against this backdrop, the Ministry notes that when these sustained engagements are contextualised against the ultimatum issued by the NLC and TUC, there is a clear mismatch,” it noted.  

Calling for the understanding of the health workers, their unions and the public, the government noted, “It is important to state that the demand by JOHESU for CONHESS adjustment has been longstanding for over a decade with previous federal governments unable to resolve it. 

“Recognising the critical role of healthcare workers in national development and public welfare, the current Federal Government is determined to resolve the issues in a manner that safeguards uninterrupted healthcare delivery, promotes team spirit and equity across professional cadres, and reinforces industrial harmony for the long-term good of the country”.

Emphasising that it remains resolutely committed to achieving sustainable industrial peace in the health sector, it said, “The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare assures that the Federal Government of Nigeria remains steadfast in its commitment to finding an enduring and sustainable resolution to the dispute in the overall interest of the nation guided by dialogue, fairness, and mutual respect”

While extending its deep appreciation to other health professionals who are still at work, saving lives, the government affirmed, “We will continue all efforts to ensure that Federal Hospitals remain open”.