By Fatima Saka
The Federal Government has resolved the 84-day nationwide industrial action embarked upon by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), following a successful conciliation meeting that led to the suspension of the strike and an immediate return to work by health workers across the country.
In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja and signed by Ado Bako, Assistant Director, Press and Public Relations, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare confirmed that JOHESU has directed its members nationwide to resume duties in the interest of patients, health system stability, and national public health security.
Speaking on the development, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said the resolution underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to dialogue, fairness, and the protection of the welfare of Nigeria’s health workforce.
He announced that the government has withdrawn the “No Work, No Pay” directive issued during the strike and approved the immediate payment of January 2026 salaries for all JOHESU members.
“The Federal Government remains fully committed to the welfare, dignity, and professional advancement of all health workers across Nigeria. The resolution reached demonstrates that dialogue, mutual respect, and good faith remain the most effective tools for resolving industrial disputes in our health sector,” Salako stated.
He further assured that no JOHESU member would be victimised, sanctioned, or intimidated for participating in the industrial action, acknowledging the sacrifices made by health workers and their critical role in safeguarding the wellbeing of Nigerians.
The Minister reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to sustained engagement with health sector unions to strengthen industrial harmony and improve service delivery, noting that negotiations on the Collective Bargaining Agreement would continue.
Salako also disclosed that outstanding issues relating to the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) would be prioritised, with provisions for proposed salary adjustments to be captured in the 2026 Appropriation Act, guided by the existing technical committee template.
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“The inclusion of salary adjustment provisions in the 2026 Appropriation framework reflects our seriousness about delivering sustainable solutions for the health workforce through concrete policy and budgetary actions,” he added.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare commended the spirit of cooperation and patriotism displayed by all parties during the engagement process and reassured Nigerians of the government’s commitment to ensuring uninterrupted, accessible, and quality healthcare services nationwide.
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