The Federal Government has directed the immediate implementation of the “No work, no pay” policy against members of the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, who are participating in the ongoing industrial action across federal health institutions.
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 hospitals nationwide.
According to the circular, dated January 8, 2026, and signed by the Director of Hospital Services, Dr Disu Adejoke, on behalf of the Coordinating Minister, the decision followed the continuation of the strike embarked upon by JOHESU on November 14, 2025.
The ministry instructed hospital managements to ensure strict compliance with the policy, noting that the measure would take effect from January 2026 and apply to all striking JOHESU members, as well as any other category of staff engaged in industrial action.
It further directed health institutions to sustain essential services, including accident and emergency care, labour wards and intensive care units, through lawful means, including the engagement of locum personnel where necessary.
The circular also stressed that workers willing to remain on duty should be allowed to do so without intimidation, while hospital authorities were asked to ensure adequate security of lives and property within their facilities and provide regular updates on service delivery during the strike.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining critical healthcare services nationwide despite the industrial action.
Speaking on the development, a public health expert, Dr Gabriel Adakole, described the enforcement of the policy as a legally backed move aimed at ending the prolonged strike but warned of its implications for the country’s already strained health system.
He noted that JOHESU members, including nurses, pharmacists and laboratory scientists, play critical roles in hospital operations, adding that their absence weakens service delivery even when emergency units remain functional.
Adakole warned that reliance on emergency-only care and temporary staffing could heighten risks to patient safety and treatment outcomes, while the financial impact of the policy on health workers could further worsen morale and accelerate the migration of professionals from the sector.
