The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has reiterated the Nigerian Government’s commitment to sustaining industrial harmony in the health sector, as it announced a framework to resolve the lingering trade dispute with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
In a statement by the Director, Information & Public Relations, Alaba Balogun, the Ministry said the Nigerian Government reached a tentative understanding with JOHESU at a high-level conciliatory meeting convened on January 15, 2026, as part of sustained efforts to de-escalate tensions and find a mutually acceptable resolution to the strike action that commenced on November 14, 2025.
The Ministry dismissed allegations by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) that the Nigerian Government deliberately refused to implement the 2021 report of the Technical Sub-Committee on the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), insisting there was no discrimination against any category of health workers and no institutional disrespect to organised labour.
It explained that, contrary to the claims, the Nigeria Government has since the commencement of the strike, held several conciliatory meetings with JOHESU at both the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, even as the unions approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria to intervene in the dispute.
The Ministry noted that the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) is currently conducting a job evaluation exercise, which began in November 2025 and is expected to last six months, to determine the appropriate placement of all health professionals and pave the way for discussions on salary adjustments and the reconvening of a Collective Bargaining Agreement.
On the issue of “No Work, No Pay,” the Ministry said the Nigeria Government’s position is that if JOHESU calls off the strike in good faith, the matter would be handled administratively in its entirety.
The Ministry also affirmed willingness to accommodate the continued participation of the NLC and TUC in subsequent engagements.
The Ministry further urged JOHESU to call off the ongoing strike in the interest of uninterrupted healthcare delivery.
According to the Ministry, the Nigeria Government remains committed to a fair, enduring and sustainable resolution guided by dialogue, fairness and mutual respect, while safeguarding equity across professional cadres and long-term industrial peace in the health sector.