Public hospitals across Nigeria are gradually returning to full operation following the suspension of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) nationwide indefinite strike after 84 days.
The strike, which commenced on November 15, 2025, severely disrupted healthcare delivery, leaving many public hospitals inactive and forcing patients to seek alternative care amid rising medical emergencies.
JOHESU announced the suspension of the strike on Friday after reaching an agreement with the Federal Government.
The decision was taken at an expanded emergency meeting of the union’s National Executive Council held on February 6, 2026, in Abuja, with members participating both physically and virtually.
The resolution, the union said, was unanimous.In a statement jointly signed by the National Chairman, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir, and the National Secretary, Comrade Martin Adekunle Egbanubi, JOHESU confirmed that members nationwide were directed to resume work from midnight on February 6.
The union described the strike period as one marked by worsening health outcomes, including preventable deaths and increased maternal and infant mortality. It also estimated that government revenue losses during the shutdown of public health services approached ₦1 trillion.
At the core of the dispute was the prolonged non-implementation of adjustments to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), an issue JOHESU said has remained unresolved since 2014 despite multiple engagements with successive administrations.
Breakthrough came after pressure from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) led to an emergency conciliation meeting convened by the Ministry of Labour and Employment on February 5.
The meeting brought together senior government officials and labour leaders.
Agreements reached included a comprehensive review of salary implementation gaps, provision for CONHESS in the 2026 Appropriation Act, payment of withheld salaries, withdrawal of the “No Work, No Pay” directive, and assurances against victimisation of striking workers.
While expressing appreciation to labour leaders, lawmakers, traditional institutions, and other stakeholders for their interventions, JOHESU cautioned that the strike resulted from long-standing injustices and deep trust deficits.
The union urged governments at all levels to honour agreements reached, stressing that sustainable reforms, rather than temporary concessions, are critical to strengthening Nigeria’s fragile healthcare system.
With health workers back on duty, patients and medical professionals alike are hopeful that normalcy and confidence will return to public hospitals nationwide.
Written by Fabian Anawo