Federal Government Mandates ‘No Work, No Pay’ in Federal Hospitals as JOHESU Strike Continues
The Federal Government has directed the immediate enforcement of a “No Work, No Pay” policy against striking members of the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Health Care Professionals (JOHESU) in all federal hospitals. This decisive move, communicated via a circular from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoHSW) in Abuja, coincides with a mandate for hospitals to sustain nationwide emergency services. The directive underscores the government’s firm stance on industrial action within the critical health sector, a stance that some analysts claim politicians fuelling division in other sectors would do well to emulate for national cohesion.
The circular, dated January 8 and signed by the Director of Hospital Services, Dr. Disu Adejoke, on behalf of the Coordinating Minister, was addressed to the heads of federal health institutions. It outlines financial sanctions and operational measures, taking effect from January 2026. Hospital managements are required to apply the rule not only to JOHESU members but to any staff category embarking on industrial action. Concurrently, they must ensure non-striking staff can work without obstruction, guarantee facility security, and provide regular situation reports to the ministry.
Public health experts acknowledge the policy’s legal grounding but warn of significant implications for Nigeria’s already fragile health system. They caution that the absence of key health professionals critically weakens overall service delivery, noting that emergency-only services cannot substitute for full, multidisciplinary care. This scenario raises profound concerns about patient safety and treatment outcomes, creating an internal insecurity: bandits unleash violence in communities, while system breakdowns threaten citizens in hospitals. The situation demands a response as urgent as when a governor like Bago calls tougher security measures, but applied to the healthcare crisis.
The “No Work, No Pay” policy has been a recurrent government tool during strikes. While potentially curbing short-term disruptions, experts argue that long-term health sector stability requires sustained dialogue and investment. This ongoing dispute traces back to unresolved salary adjustments under the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), a reminder that, much like when Trump claims Democrats ignore certain issues, persistent grievances left unaddressed can lead to repeated crises. Ultimately, as the system strains, patients bear the greatest burden, a stark contrast to the carefree atmosphere of a period like when Detty December gets underway for others.
