By Blessing Okola, Abuja
The Federal Government has announced a framework aimed at resolving the ongoing industrial dispute with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), while assuring health workers that the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) will be reviewed.
In a press release issued on Friday by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the government dismissed allegations by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) that it deliberately refused to implement the 2021 report of the Technical Committee on CONHESS adjustment.
JOHESU has been on strike since 14 November 2025, following an ultimatum demanding that CONHESS be adjusted in line with the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
Labour unions had also accused the ministry of institutional disrespect to health workers, issuing a fresh 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government.
However, the ministry described the allegations as untrue, insisting there is no discrimination against any category of health workers.
It said the Federal Government has held several conciliatory meetings with JOHESU since the strike began, both at the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
A major breakthrough, according to the ministry, occurred at a high-level meeting held on 15 January 2026, where a tentative understanding was reached on a framework for resolving the dispute. Additional meetings were also held on 20 and 22 January 2026 to consolidate agreements reached earlier.
At the meeting, JOHESU proposed the immediate implementation of the 2021 Technical Sub-Committee report on CONHESS adjustment and demanded the withdrawal of the “No Work, No Pay” policy.
In response, the ministry appealed for the maintenance of the status quo pending the completion of an ongoing job evaluation exercise being conducted by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC).
The exercise, which began in November 2025 and is expected to last six months, is intended to guide evidence-based salary adjustments and the reconvening of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
On the “No Work, No Pay” policy, the ministry said the issue would be handled administratively if JOHESU calls off the strike in good faith.
The government also reaffirmed its willingness to include the NLC and TUC in subsequent negotiations, stressing its commitment to dialogue and industrial harmony in the health sector.
The ministry noted that the demand for CONHESS adjustment has lingered for over a decade and remained unresolved by previous administrations.
It added that JOHESU members recently benefited from increased professional allowances amounting to about ₦58 billion in arrears from July 2024 and an additional ₦40 billion annually.
Reiterating its resolve to ensure uninterrupted healthcare delivery, the Federal Government urged JOHESU to suspend the strike and allow negotiations to continue in the interest of Nigerians.
The ministry also commended health professionals who have remained at work despite the strike, assuring that federal hospitals will continue to operate.
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