The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to reviewing the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) as part of efforts to resolve the ongoing industrial dispute with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday night in Abuja by its Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr Alaba Balogun.
The statement was a response to a joint release by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) on the dispute between the ministry and JOHESU.
Balogun said the ministry’s attention was drawn to allegations that it had deliberately refused to implement the report of the Technical Committee on the adjustment of CONHESS submitted in 2021, describing the claims as untrue and misleading.
“The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare reiterates and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to sustaining industrial harmony within Nigeria’s health sector.
“There is absolutely no truth in the allegations of deliberate refusal to implement the Technical Committee’s report, nor is there any discrimination against any category of health workers,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that JOHESU commenced an indefinite strike on Nov. 14, 2025, over its demand that CONHESS be adjusted in the same manner as the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).
The ministry said that contrary to claims by organized labor, the Federal Government had, since the commencement of the strike, held several conciliatory meetings with JOHESU at both the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
According to the statement, the meetings were aimed at resolving the dispute amicably, despite JOHESU’s decision to approach the National Industrial Court of Nigeria for intervention.
It added that a high-level conciliatory meeting convened on Jan. 15 by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare formed part of sustained efforts to de-escalate tensions and reach a mutually acceptable resolution.
“The ministry states unequivocally that it reached a tentative understanding with JOHESU on a framework for resolving the lingering trade dispute at the meeting held on Jan. 15,” Balogun said.
He explained that during the meeting, JOHESU presented proposals, including the implementation of the 2021 report of the Technical Sub-Committee of the High-Level Body chaired by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), which recommended an adjustment of CONHESS.
The unions also demanded the immediate withdrawal of the “No Work, No Pay” circular, insisting that it should not apply to their members.
In response, the ministry appealed to JOHESU to maintain the status quo to enable the NSIWC to conclude an ongoing job evaluation exercise aimed at determining the appropriate placement of all health professionals.
Balogun said the exercise, which commenced in November 2025, was expected to be concluded soon, adding that the outcome would guide a fair and sustainable resolution of the salary structure concerns.
