The federal ministry of health has directed all chief medical directors (CMDs) and medical directors (MDs) of federal hospitals to enforce a ‘no work, no pay’ sanction against members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) currently on strike.
In a circular dated January 8, 2026, signed by Abisola Adegoke, director of hospital services, on behalf of Ali Pate, the coordinating minister, the ministry underscored the need to sustain essential medical services throughout the industrial action.
According to the circular, the penalty will take effect 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 further tasked hospital leadership with safeguarding non-striking workers, patients, and facilities, urging them to allow willing staff to carry out their duties freely and to provide regular situational reports on disruptions caused by the strike.
JOHESU commenced its indefinite nationwide strike on November 15, 2025, citing the federal government’s consistent failure to implement the adjusted consolidated health salary structure (CONHESS) and address broader welfare and systemic challenges affecting the sector.
The union said that although the delayed adjustment of CONHESS was the major catalyst, a number of other long-standing grievances contributed to the action.
JOHESU draws its membership from 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.