The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) have suspended their planned picketing of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, who has constituted a high-level committee to engage labour unions and address their demands.
The development was confirmed on Wednesday, December 17, by the President of JOHESU, Kabiru Minjibir.
Naijaonpoint reports that before the suspension, the National Secretary of JOHESU, Martin Egbanubi, had informed our correspondent that the unions were set to picket their parent ministry as part of efforts to press home their demands.
JOHESU, alongside the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations, commenced an indefinite nationwide strike on November 15, 2025, over the Federal Government’s failure to implement the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure and address other welfare and systemic challenges affecting health workers.
The planned picketing was expected to further escalate the industrial action before the latest intervention by the President.
Tinubu Meets NLC Leadership
Minjibir explained that the decision to suspend the picketing followed a meeting between the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and President Tinubu on Tuesday night, where the concerns of JOHESU were formally presented.
Although the meeting was between the NLC leadership and the President, he said the demands of JOHESU, particularly the adjustment of CONHESS, featured prominently in the discussions.
“The President met with the leadership of the NLC last night, and we tabled the issue of JOHESU before Mr President,” Minjibir said.
According to him, President Tinubu subsequently set up a committee to engage labour unions and resolve outstanding issues.
“He set up a committee under the leadership of the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma,” the JOHESU president disclosed.
He added that the committee also includes the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo; the Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris; and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
“The committee has been mandated to meet with labour leaders and report back to the President. He directed them to sit with us, iron out all issues related to labour, and bring the outcome back to him,” Minjibir said.
Minjibir revealed that a meeting between the committee and labour representatives was scheduled for 9am on Wednesday to continue discussions, particularly on the long-standing demand for the adjustment of CONHESS.
“In view of the ongoing talks, JOHESU decided to temporarily suspend its planned picketing exercise.
“We have put the picketing on hold and allowed the discussion to see its outcome,” he added.
When asked if the union was confident that the committee would resolve its demands, the JOHESU president expressed cautious optimism.
“Yes, we are hopeful, especially on the issue of CONHESS adjustment, but it will depend on the outcome of the committee’s meeting,” Minjibir said.
The suspension of the picketing signals a temporary de-escalation of the industrial action as stakeholders await the outcome of the committee’s deliberations.