The Federal Government on Friday announced new steps to resolve the ongoing strike by health workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, as it moved closer to reviewing the Consolidated Health Salary Structure, CONHESS. The move comes amid pressure from the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, which recently issued an ultimatum over the strike that began on November 14, 2025.
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare explained that the strike started after JOHESU demanded an upward review of CONHESS to match adjustments earlier made under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure. The unions also accused the government of failing to act on the 2021 report of a technical committee set up to address pay differences among health workers.
The ministry denied claims that the government ignored the unions or treated any group unfairly. It said discussions and reconciliation efforts had been ongoing since the strike began. Meetings were held at both the health ministry and the Ministry of Labour and Employment, even as the unions approached the National Industrial Court.
According to the ministry, progress was made at a high-level meeting held on January 15, 2026, where both sides agreed on a working framework to address the dispute. At that meeting, JOHESU asked for the immediate implementation of the 2021 committee report and the suspension of the No Work, No Pay policy affecting its members.
The government appealed for calm and urged the unions to wait for the outcome of a job evaluation exercise being carried out by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission. The exercise, which started in November 2025, is expected to run for six months and will guide job placement across health professions. It is also expected to form the basis for future salary changes and a fresh round of collective bargaining.
On the issue of salary deductions during the strike, the ministry said the matter could be handled administratively if the unions return to work in good faith. It also welcomed the continued role of the NLC and TUC in the talks, noting that more meetings were held on January 20 and 22 to move discussions forward and create room for suspending the strike.
The ministry added that the demand for a review of CONHESS had remained unresolved for more than ten years and said the current administration was determined to deal with it in a fair way that would also protect health services.
While calling on JOHESU to end the strike for the sake of patients, the government praised health workers who have remained on duty and assured the public that efforts are ongoing to keep federal hospitals running.
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