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The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has announced the suspension of its 84-day nationwide strike following agreements reached with the Federal Government.
The decision was disclosed on Friday in a communiqué jointly signed by the National Chairman of JOHESU, Mr. Kabiru Ado-Minjibir, and the National Secretary, Mr. Martin Egbanubi, in Abuja.
According to the union, the suspension followed resolutions adopted at an emergency expanded meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC), convened to review the outcome of a conciliation meeting held on February 5 with the Federal Government at the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The communiqué stated that key resolutions from the meeting include the commencement of negotiations on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the immediate prioritisation of all outstanding issues relating to the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).
It further revealed that the Federal Government agreed to make budgetary provisions for the CONHESS adjustment in the 2026 Appropriation Act, using the existing technical committee template.
In addition, the government consented to withdraw the “No Work, No Pay” directive issued against JOHESU members during the strike. It also assured the immediate payment of January 2026 salaries to all members and guaranteed that no worker would be victimised, sanctioned, or intimidated for participating in the industrial action.
“Following a comprehensive review of the resolutions, the expanded National Executive Council unanimously approved the suspension of the indefinite nationwide strike,” the communiqué stated.
“The NEC has therefore directed all JOHESU members across federal and state health institutions to resume work with immediate effect.”
JOHESU noted that the strike, which commenced on November 15, 2025, was triggered by the Federal Government’s failure to implement the CONHESS adjustment and address other unresolved welfare issues affecting health workers.
The union also highlighted the severe impact of the prolonged strike on healthcare delivery nationwide, noting a reported increase in maternal and infant mortality during the period. It added that the Federal Government reportedly lost close to ₦1 trillion in revenue as a result of the industrial action.
The conciliation meeting, according to JOHESU, was convened by the Ministry of Labour and Employment following a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Ministers of Labour, Finance, and Health, alongside representatives of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, were in attendance at the meeting.
