The federal ministry of health has issued a ‘no work, no pay’ directive to all chief medical directors (CMD) and medical directors (MD) of the federal government’s hospitals, targeting striking members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
In a circular dated January 8, 2026, and signed by Abisola Adegoke, director of hospital services, on behalf of Ali Pate, the coordinating minister, the ministry stressed the importance of maintaining essential services during the labour action.
The circular said the ‘no work, no pay’ rule will be effective from January 2026.
“You are to ensure that you provide critical services like accident and emergency, labour, and intensive care unit, amongst others, by all legal means, including employment of locum staff,” the circular reads.
“You may recall that the Federal Government Law on “NO WORK: NO PAY” subsists in this regard; therefore, you are directed to ensure strict enforcement of this policy on striking JOHESU members commencing from January 2026 and any group of employed staff in your institution who may wish to embark on strike.”
The circular also called for the protection of non-striking staff members, patients, and hospital property, urging CMDs and MDs to allow willing employees to perform their duties without hindrance, adding that they should provide regular updates on the strike’s impact.
JOHESU embarked on an indefinite nationwide strike on November 15, 2025, over what it called the federal government’s persistent failure to implement the adjusted consolidated health salary structure (CONHESS) and resolve longstanding welfare and systemic issues affecting health workers as the reason for the strike.
The union added that while the delay in implementing the adjusted CONHESS was the principal trigger, several other unresolved issues informed the decision.
Members of JOHESU include the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria, the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions, and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions.
