The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) on Friday suspended its nationwide strike following agreements reached with the Federal Government.
The strike lasted 84 days.
JOHESU National Chairman, Kabiru Ado Minjibir, and National Secretary, Martin Egbanubi, announced this in Abuja.
The union said the decision followed resolutions reached at an emergency expanded National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
It said the meeting was convened to review the outcome of a Feb. 5 conciliation meeting with the Federal Government at the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
According to the communiqué, key resolutions include the commencement of Collective Bargaining Agreement(CBA) negotiations and immediate prioritisation of outstanding issues on the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).
It said the agreement provided for budgetary allocation for the salary adjustment in the 2026 Appropriation Act based on the existing technical committee template.
The communiqué said the Federal Government further agreed to withdraw the “No Work, No Pay” directive issued against JOHESU members during the strike.
It also said January 2026 salaries of all JOHESU members would be paid immediately and that no member would be victimised, sanctioned or intimidated for participating in the industrial action.
“Following a review of the resolutions, the expanded National Executive Council unanimously approved the suspension of the indefinite nationwide strike.
“The NEC subsequently directed all JOHESU members across federal and state health institutions to resume work with immediate effect,” the communiqué said.
It noted that the strike, which began on Nov. 15, 2025, was triggered by the non-implementation of the CONHESS adjustment and other outstanding welfare issues.
The union said the prolonged strike adversely affected healthcare delivery, resulting in increased maternal and infant mortality across the country.
It also said the the federal government reportedly lost close to one trillion naira in revenue during the strike period.
It stated that the conciliation meeting was convened by the Ministry of Labour and Employment following a 14-day ultimatum issued to the federal government by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
It said Ministers of Labour, Finance and Health, as well as representatives of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, attended the meeting.
The union urged the federal and state governments to fully implement agreements reached to avoid future industrial actions.
