Strike: FG Urges JOHESU To Call Off Action, Pursue Dialogue
By Tony Enokela
Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare has urged the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) to call off its industrial action and allow negotiations to continue in the interest of the health sector and the Nigerian public.
The Federal Government reiterated and reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to sustaining industrial harmony within the sector contrary to insinuations by the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The ministry, in a statement signed by Alaba Balogun, its Director, Information & Public Relations, said it was reacting to a joint statement issued by the TUC and NLC.
It noted that both union’s statement is further to JOHESU’s earlier ultimatum to the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, demanding an adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) in the same manner as was implemented for the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), which culminated in the on-going strike action by JOHESU, which commenced on 14 November 2025.
The FG said, however, in its recent statement, the labour unions alleged that the Ministry deliberately refused to implement the report of the Technical Committee on the adjustment of Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) submitted in 2021.
It regretted that “They further alleged that the delay amounts to institutional disrespect to health workers and organised labour and consequently issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government through the Ministry.”
The ministry insists that there is absolutely no truth in the allegations of deliberate refusal to implement the Technical Committee’s report, nor is there any discrimination against any category of health workers.
“Contrary to these claims, the Federal Government has, since the commencement of the industrial action, held several conciliatory meetings with JOHESU, both at the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, aimed at resolving the dispute amicably,” it said.
These meetings, it added, are being held despite the action of JOHESU in approaching the National Industrial Court of Nigeria to intervene in the dispute.
According to the statement “It is important to state that the demand by JOHESU for CONHESS adjustment has been longstanding for over a decade with previous federal governments unable to resolve it.”
It pointed out a high-level conciliatory meeting convened on Thursday 15 January 2026, initiated by the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, which formed part of sustained efforts by the Federal Government to de-escalate tensions and arrive at a mutually acceptable resolution.
The government noted that at the meeting, a tentative understanding was reached with JOHESU on a framework for resolving the lingering trade dispute.
The government said “to further demonstrate its commitment to industrial harmony, the Ministry affirmed its willingness to accommodate the NLC and TUC in subsequent engagements and has no objection to their continued participation in the dialogue process.
“Since the meeting of 15 January 2026 the ministry held two other meetings on 20th and 22nd January 2026 to conclude on issues agreed on at the meeting of 15th January 2026 with a view for JOHESU to call off the on-going strike action.
“Against this backdrop, the Ministry notes that when these sustained engagements are contextualised against the ultimatum issued by the NLC and TUC, there is a clear mismatch.
“The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, remains resolutely committed to achieving sustainable industrial peace in the health sector.
“The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare assures that the Federal Government of Nigeria remains steadfast in its commitment to finding an enduring and sustainable resolution to the dispute in the overall interest of the nation guided by dialogue, fairness, and mutual respect.
“Recognising the critical role of healthcare workers in national development and public welfare, the current Federal Government is determined to resolve the issues in a manner that safeguards uninterrupted healthcare delivery, promotes team spirit and equity across professional cadres, and reinforces industrial harmony for the long-term good of the country,” it said.
