- Invokes ‘no-work, no-pay’ policy
The Federal government has directed the immediate enforcement of the “no-work, no-pay” policy against members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) participating in the ongoing strike, while also ordering the stop to their salaries beginning from January 2026.
This directive was contained in an official circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare through its Department of Hospital Services, addressed to all Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and Medical Directors (MDs) of Federal health institutions nationwide.
In the memo dated January 8, 2026, the ministry said the decision followed the continued industrial action embarked upon by JOHESU, which commenced on November 14, 2025, despite ongoing engagements with the government.
According to the circular signed by the Director of Hospital Services, Dr. Olubunmi Adegoke, on behalf of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, hospital managements have been instructed to strictly enforce the subsisting federal law on “No Work, No Pay” against striking workers, while ensuring that any staff member who chooses to participate in the strike forfeits their salaries for the period of non-service.
The Ministry, however, emphasised the need for uninterrupted delivery of essential healthcare services. CMDs and MDs were directed to ensure that critical units such as Accident and Emergency, Labour wards, and Intensive Care Units (ICUs) remain fully operational, including through the engagement of locum staff where necessary.
“The provision of critical services must be sustained by all legal means,” the circular stated, stressing that patient safety and public health must not be compromised by the industrial action.
Hospital heads were also mandated to guarantee the security of lives and property within their facilities, ensuring that staff willing to continue working are allowed to carry out their duties “unhindered and unmolested”.
In addition, managements were asked to provide regular situation reports to the Ministry on the impact of the strike on their institutions.
JOHESU, which represents health workers other than doctors, has been at loggerheads with the Federal Government over welfare issues, salary adjustments, and alleged breaches of previous agreements.
The union, pushing for the implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and retirement age reviews, had embarked on a strike after it expressed disappointment with the government’s lack of response, citing unfulfilled promises and discriminatory treatment.
Now in its 54th day, the strike has disrupted healthcare services in several public hospitals across the country, leaving many patients stranded.