FG Moves to Resolve JOHESU Strike, Assures Review of CONHESS

The Federal Government has announced a framework aimed at resolving the ongoing industrial dispute with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and has assured health workers of a review of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said it was responding to a joint statement by the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the protracted disagreement between the ministry and JOHESU, which led to a strike that began on 14 November 2025.
JOHESU had issued an ultimatum demanding an adjustment of CONHESS in line with the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), accusing the ministry of failing to implement the 2021 report of a technical committee on salary adjustments. The labour centres also described the delay as a sign of institutional disrespect to health workers and subsequently issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government.
In a statement on Saturday, the ministry rejected claims of deliberate refusal to implement the committee’s report or discrimination against any category of health workers, reiterating the Federal Government’s commitment to industrial harmony in the health sector.
According to the ministry, several conciliatory meetings have been held with JOHESU since the strike began, both at the Ministries of Health and Labour, despite the unions’ decision to approach the National Industrial Court of Nigeria. A high-level meeting convened on 15 January 2026 was described as a key step in de-escalating tensions and reaching a mutually acceptable resolution.
The ministry said a tentative understanding was reached at that meeting on a framework for resolving the dispute. During the talks, JOHESU proposed the implementation of the 2021 Technical Sub-Committee report under the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), which recommended adjustments to CONHESS. The unions also demanded the withdrawal of the “No Work, No Pay” circular as it applies to their members.
In response, the ministry appealed for the maintenance of the status quo to allow the NSIWC conclude an ongoing job evaluation exercise, which began in November 2025 and is expected to last six months. The exercise, the ministry said, would determine appropriate placement for health professionals and provide a basis for salary adjustments and the reconvening of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
On the “No Work, No Pay” policy, the ministry stated that the issue would be handled administratively if JOHESU calls off the strike in good faith.
The ministry also expressed willingness to involve the NLC and TUC in subsequent engagements and disclosed that additional meetings were held on 20 and 22 January 2026 to finalise issues agreed at the January 15 meeting, with a view to ending the strike.
While noting what it described as a mismatch between ongoing negotiations and the ultimatum issued by the labour centres, the ministry reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to achieve lasting industrial peace in the health sector through dialogue and mutual respect.
It further acknowledged that demands for CONHESS adjustment have persisted for over a decade, adding that the current administration is determined to address the issue in a way that ensures uninterrupted healthcare delivery, equity among professional cadres and long-term harmony.
The ministry urged JOHESU to suspend the strike to allow negotiations to continue in the interest of the health sector and the public, while commending health workers who have remained on duty and assuring Nigerians that efforts are ongoing to keep federal hospitals operational.