The Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, has decided to suspend its 84-day strike that has paralyzed healthcare services across Nigeria, following a breakthrough agreement with the federal government on the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure, CONHESS.
The decision was reached during a tense hybrid Expanded National Executive Council meeting presided over by the union’s Chairman, Alhaji Ado Minjibir, and National Secretary, Comrade Martin Egbanugbi, on Thursday.
After exhaustive deliberations on the outcome of Wednesday’s conciliatory meeting with government representatives, members voted decisively to suspend the industrial action. The final tally showed 84 votes against continuing the strike and only 13 in support—a clear mandate for the leadership to call off the action.
The strike, which began in November 2025, was triggered by the government’s repeated failure to adjust CONHESS despite having adjusted the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, CONMESS, on three separate occasions—a move JOHESU described as discriminatory.
Unlike previous negotiations that ended with Memoranda of Understanding, JOHESU—in collaboration with the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress —signed a binding “Term of Settlement” with the government. The agreement was acknowledged by the Honourable Minister of Labour, who served as Chief Conciliator, alongside his counterparts in the Ministries of Health and Finance, as well as the Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
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The Term of Settlement includes several critical commitments from the government:
CONHESS Adjustment: The government has agreed to adjust CONHESS with priority discussions to be conducted exclusively with JOHESU under the Collective Bargaining Agreement framework.
Presidential Approval Process: The CONHESS adjustment proposal will be tendered for approval by the Presidential Committee on Salary.
Implementation Timeline: A timeline extending from now until April 2026 has been established, taking into account the six-month duration of CBA discussions that began in November 2025.
Salary Payment: On the contentious “no work, no pay” policy, the government has agreed to withdraw the circular and immediately initiate payment of January 2026 salaries once the strike is officially suspended.
No Victimization: The government provided assurance that no union member will face victimization for participating in the strike, in accordance with established labour principles.
E-NEC members commended the JOHESU/AHPA leadership for their resilience and determination throughout the 84-day struggle, which tested the resolve of both the unions and healthcare workers nationwide.
The strike had severely impacted healthcare delivery across federal and state health institutions, leaving patients stranded and forcing many Nigerians to seek alternative, often more expensive, private healthcare options.
The National Secretary, Comrade Martin Egbanugbi, is expected to release an official communique detailing the full terms of the agreement and the effective date of the strike suspension.
Healthcare workers are expected to return to their duty posts immediately upon the official announcement, bringing relief to millions of Nigerians who have been affected by the prolonged industrial action.
The agreement marks a significant victory for JOHESU, which has long advocated for parity in the treatment of health workers across different cadres in Nigeria’s public healthcare system.
More details to follow as the official communique is released by JOHESU’s National Secretariat.
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