The Joint Health Sector Unions has suspended its 84-day nationwide strike following a conciliation meeting with the Federal Government and has directed all its members nationwide to return to work immediately.

JOHESU, representing non-physician health workers, including laboratory scientists, pharmacists, and other allied health professionals, commenced its indefinite nationwide strike on November 15, 2025, over the Federal Government’s failure to implement the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and other longstanding welfare demands.

In a communique issued at the end of its expanded National Executive Council emergency hybrid meeting held on Friday in Abuja, the union noted that the suspension is to allow four months of consultation on the High Level Committee Report on CONHESS Adjustment and the CBA Committee on Allowances.

The communique, signed by the National Chairman, Kabiru Minjibir, and the National Secretary, Martin Egbanubi, stated that after exhaustive deliberations and a review of the terms of settlement from the conciliation meeting, the expanded NEC -in-Session voted unanimously to suspend the ongoing indefinite nationwide strike action to allow for the implementation of the FG-JOHESU Terms of Settlement.

It was observed that the strike, which began on Nov. 15, 2025, was triggered by the non-implementation of the CONHESS adjustment and other outstanding welfare issues.

According to the communiqué, key resolutions include the commencement of negotiations on the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the immediate prioritisation of outstanding issues regarding the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).

It added that the agreement provided for budgetary allocation for the salary adjustment in the 2026 Appropriation Act based on the existing technical committee template.

The union stated that the federal government has agreed to withdraw the “No Work, No Pay” directive issued against its members during the strike, adding that the January 2026 salaries of all JOHESU members would be paid immediately and that no member would be victimised, sanctioned or intimidated for participating in the industrial action.

The communique read, “Following a review of the resolutions, the expanded National Executive Council unanimously approved the suspension of the indefinite nationwide strike. The NEC subsequently directed all JOHESU members across federal and state health institutions to resume work with immediate effect.”

According to the union, the prolonged strike adversely affected healthcare delivery, resulting in increased maternal and infant mortality nationwide. The federal government reportedly lost nearly one trillion naira in revenue during the strike, which crippled services and patient care in public hospitals nationwide.

It stated that the conciliation meeting was convened by the Ministry of Labour and Employment following a 14-day ultimatum issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to the federal government.

It added that ministers of labour, finance and health, as well as representatives of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, attended the meeting.

The union commended the intervention of the National Assembly leadership, traditional rulers and professional bodies in resolving the dispute and urged the federal and state governments to fully implement agreements reached to prevent future industrial actions.