The ongoing nationwide strike by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has resulted in a staggering financial hemorrhage for Nigeria's federal health system. The union has revealed that over N400 billion in internally generated revenue (IGR) has been lost across 73 Federal Health Institutions (FHIs) since the industrial action began.
Strike Persists Despite Government Ultimatum
JOHESU, which represents non-physician health workers like laboratory scientists, pharmacists, and allied professionals, started its indefinite strike on November 14, 2025. The core grievance is the Federal Government's failure to implement the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and address other welfare demands.
In a firm response, the government issued a circular on January 8, 2026, directing hospital heads to enforce the "no work, no pay" rule against striking JOHESU members effective January 2026. The directive, signed by Dr. Abisola Adegoke, Director of Hospital Services at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, mandated Chief Medical Directors to use all legal means to maintain services in critical units.
Government Directives and Union's Defiance
The government's circular instructed hospital managements to take specific actions to mitigate the strike's impact:
- Engage locum staff to prevent disruptions in accident & emergency, labour wards, and intensive care units.
- Strengthen security to safeguard lives and property within the institutions.
- Ensure non-striking workers are not harassed or obstructed.
- Submit regular reports to the ministry on the strike's effect on service delivery.
Despite this strong stance, JOHESU has vowed not to back down. The union's Vice President and President of the Assembly of Healthcare Professionals Association (AHPA), Olumide Akintola, criticized the government's approach, labeling the "no work, no pay" policy as an intimidation tool not rooted in Nigeria's routine statutory framework.
A Battle of Wills and Structural Issues
Akintola warned that weaponizing the policy would not benefit the government, emphasizing the collective resolve of JOHESU members who constitute over 85% of the nation's health workforce. He stated that over 90% of the union's membership has endorsed the continuation of the strike, signaling a protracted battle.
"You cannot suppress the collective will," Akintola declared. "It will be tough, it will be rough, but we will weather the storm."
He stressed that the issues at hand require deep, structural reforms beyond temporary fixes. "There are fundamental issues that require far-reaching and systemic solutions," he added, indicating that superficial interventions would not suffice.
Akintola also pointed to a deeper governance crisis within the health sector, criticizing the dominance of physician-led appointments in a multidisciplinary field. He called for bold reforms, including the appointment of seasoned administrators and professionals with strong corporate management experience to run the entire health value chain effectively.
The standoff presents a critical impasse for Nigeria's healthcare delivery, pitting the government's enforcement of labour rules against the determined collective action of a majority of its health workforce, with billions in revenue and patient care hanging in the balance.
