Federal Ministry of Health has ordered that the no work, no pay policy be applied to members of Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) who are on strike.
Gatekeepers News reports that rhe directed Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of federal hospitals to withhold salaries from workers who refuse to report for duty.
In a January 8, 2026 circular signed by Abisola Adegoke for Coordinating Minister Ali Pate, the ministry stressed that essential services like accident and emergency care, labour wards, and intensive care units must continue during the industrial action, even if that requires hiring locum staff.
The directive says the no work, no pay policy takes effect immediately from January 2026 and must be strictly enforced on all striking JOHESU members and any other staff who attempt to withdraw their labour.
The circular also instructs hospital leaders to protect non‑striking employees, patients, and hospital assets, and to regularly report on how the strike is affecting service delivery.
JOHESU began an indefinite nationwide strike on November 15, 2025, blaming the Federal Government for failing to implement the adjusted consolidated health salary structure (CONHESS) and address long‑standing welfare and systemic challenges in the health sector.
The union said the delayed CONHESS implementation was the main issue, but other unresolved problems also influenced its decision to withdraw labour.
