The Federal Government has directed the immediate enforcement of the no work, no pay policy against members of the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Health Care Professionals taking part in the ongoing strike.
The directive was contained in a circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and addressed to chief medical directors and medical directors of federal health institutions across the country.
Dated January 8, 2026, the circular was signed by the Director of Hospital Services, Dr Disu Adejoke, on behalf of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare. The ministry said the decision followed the continuation of the JOHESU strike, which commenced on November 14, 2025.
Hospital managements were instructed to ensure full compliance with the Federal Government’s no work, no pay policy, which takes effect from January 2026. The policy, according to the ministry, applies to all striking JOHESU members and any other category of staff that may embark on industrial action.
The ministry further directed health institutions to sustain critical services such as accident and emergency care, labour wards and intensive care units through lawful means, including the engagement of locum staff where necessary.
“All members of staff who are willing to continue with their work must be allowed to do so without hindrance or intimidation,” the circular stated.
Hospital authorities were also directed to ensure the safety of lives and property within their facilities and to provide regular updates to the ministry on the impact of the strike on healthcare service delivery.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining essential health services nationwide despite the ongoing industrial action.
Meanwhile, speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria, a public health expert based in Abuja, Dr Gabriel Adakole, described the enforcement of the policy as “a legally backed move aimed at ending the ongoing JOHESU strike.”
However, he warned that the action could worsen the challenges facing Nigeria’s fragile health system.
“JOHESU members, who include nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and other allied health professionals, are essential to hospital operations. Their absence weakens service delivery, even where emergency units remain open,” he said.
Adakole noted that while hospitals have been directed to sustain critical services and engage locum staff, emergency only care cannot replace full multidisciplinary healthcare, a situation he said raises concerns about patient safety and treatment outcomes.
“The policy also places financial pressure on health workers, potentially worsening low morale and accelerating the brain drain from Nigeria’s health sector,” he added.
He stressed that patients would bear the greatest burden of the situation, saying, “Ultimately, patients would suffer the most through delayed treatments and reduced access to care.
“While no work, no pay may shorten strikes, lasting stability in the health sector requires dialogue, trust building and sustained investment in health workers and infrastructure.”
(NAN)
