Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Federal Government has directed the full enforcement of the longstanding “no work, no pay” policy against members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) involved in the ongoing nationwide health sector strike, underscoring its determination to uphold labour laws while seeking to maintain critical healthcare delivery across federal institutions. The policy is set to take effect from January 2026 and applies specifically to federal health workers participating in the industrial action.
In an official circular dated January 8, 2026, signed by Abisola Adegoke, Director of Hospital Services at the Federal Ministry of Health, and issued on behalf of Coordinating Minister Ali Pate, all Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and Medical Directors (MDs) of federal government hospitals were instructed to withhold pay from striking JOHESU members and enforce existing labour norms. The directive emphasised that any federal employee who withholds labour during a strike forfeits their entitlement to salary for the period of non‑service.
The ministry further instructed hospital leadership to ensure that essential services remain operational throughout the strike. According to the circular, critical units such as Accident and Emergency, Labour wards, and Intensive Care Units (ICUs) must be maintained by all lawful means, including the engagement of locum staff where necessary to fill gaps left by absent personnel. This measure is intended to safeguard patient lives while striking workers are sanctioned for non‑attendance.
Hospital administrators were also reminded of their duty to protect non‑striking staff members, patients, and hospital property, and to ensure that willing employees can perform their duties without intimidation or disruption. Regular reporting of the strike’s impact on service delivery was also mandated to the ministry to inform ongoing policy and operational decisions.
The enforcement comes amid an **indefinite nationwide strike launched by JOHESU on 15 November 2025. The union, which represents a broad spectrum of healthcare professionals including nurses, allied health workers, medical laboratory scientists, and senior staff of teaching hospitals and research institutes, says the walkout was triggered by the federal government’s repeated failure to implement the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and to address systemic welfare issues affecting its members.
Government officials have expressed concern over the prolonged strike’s impact on public health services, noting that industrial action in the health sector has the potential to disrupt care for vulnerable patients, particularly in emergency and critical care settings. The enforcement of the “no work, no pay” policy reflects the government’s effort to balance respect for workers’ rights to industrial action with the imperative to protect lives and uphold essential services.
The policy, which is grounded in federal labour regulations, has been applied in the past to industrial actions by other public sector unions, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), where lecturers’ salaries were withheld during prolonged strikes. Critics of the policy have argued that it undermines workers’ bargaining power, while proponents maintain it is a lawful and necessary mechanism to discourage prolonged labour stoppages in critical service sectors such as health and education.
As the strike continues into early 2026, the Federal Government has reiterated its openness to negotiation and dialogue with union leaders to resolve outstanding issues, but officials have stressed that continued non‑implementation of agreed welfare reforms will not preclude the government from enforcing policies designed to protect public welfare.
The ongoing standoff between JOHESU and the Federal Government remains a central challenge for Nigeria’s healthcare system as it strives to balance workers’ demands with the urgent needs of patients across federal hospitals. The coming weeks are expected to see intensified discussions between the parties as pressure mounts to restore full service delivery and end the prolonged industrial action.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments