Solomon Odeniyi
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has directed the stoppage of salaries of members of the Joint Health Sector Unions and the Assembly of Health Care Professionals following the commencement of their strike on November 14, 2025.
In a circular addressed to all Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of federal health institutions and dated January 8, the ministry said the directive was in line with the Federal Government’s “No work, no pay” policy and would take effect from January 2026.
The memo, signed by the Director of Hospital Services, Dr Abisola Adegoke, on behalf of the Coordinating Minister, instructed hospital managements to strictly enforce the policy against all striking JOHESU members and any other staff who might join the industrial action.
It partly read, “I am directed to convey to you the position of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on the current strike by the Joint Health Sector Unions & Assembly of Health Care Professionals, which commenced on Friday, 14th November, 2025.
“You are to ensure that you provide critical services like accident and emergency, labour, Intensive Care Unit, amongst others by all legal means, including employment of locum staff.
“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 ministry also ordered hospital heads to ensure that critical services such as accident and emergency care, labour wards and intensive care units continued to operate during the strike.
“You are also directed to ensure security of lives and property of everyone, including patients and staff. All members of staff who are willing to continue with their work must be allowed to go about their various duties unhindered and unmolested.
“You are to provide regular updates on the strike as it affects your institution,” the circular added.
The JOHESU strike, which began on November 14, 2025, involves health workers across federal health facilities and has affected the delivery of some medical services nationwide.
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