The Joint Health Sector Unions has dismissed appeals to suspend its ongoing nationwide strike, maintaining that only its member unions can collectively decide the fate of the industrial action.
JOHESU President, Kabiru Minjibir, said the union leadership had informed the Federal Government’s negotiation committee that it lacked the mandate to unilaterally call off the strike without first consulting its affiliates.
According to Minjibir, although the committee urged JOHESU to halt the strike following recent talks, the unions resolved instead to convene an expanded National Executive Council meeting to review the situation and determine the next course of action.
He explained that the meeting, expected to hold next week and possibly before Christmas, would allow union leaders to brief members on discussions with government representatives. Until that consultation is completed, he said, the strike will remain in force.
JOHESU, working alongside the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations, began an indefinite nationwide strike on November 15, 2025.
The action was triggered by the Federal Government’s failure to implement the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure, as well as unresolved welfare and systemic issues affecting health workers.
In response, President Bola Tinubu set up a high-level negotiation committee to engage the unions.
The committee is expected to report its findings to key officials, including the Ministers of Health and Social Welfare, Finance, and Labour and Employment, and the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation.
Minjibir also disclosed that the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress recently met with President Tinubu, where concerns relating to JOHESU and its demands were formally presented.
JOHESU is an umbrella body representing several health sector unions, including 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.
The ongoing strike has continued to affect operations in public health facilities nationwide, raising concerns among patients and healthcare stakeholders over prolonged service disruptions.
