The Federal Government has directed the immediate enforcement of the “No Work, No Pay” policy against members of the Joint Health Sector Unions and the Assembly of Health Care Professionals (JOHESU) participating in the ongoing strike.
The directive is contained in a circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoHSW) on Saturday in Abuja.
The circular, addressed to Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of federal health institutions, was dated Jan. 8 and signed by the Director of Hospital Services, Dr Disu Adejoke, on behalf of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.
It stated that the decision followed the continuation of the JOHESU strike, which began on Nov. 14, 2025.
According to the ministry, hospital managements are required to ensure strict compliance with the Federal Government’s “No Work, No Pay” policy.
The enforcement takes effect from January 2026 and applies to all striking JOHESU members, as well as any other category of staff that may embark on industrial action.
The ministry further directed health institutions to sustain critical services, including accident and emergency care, labour wards and intensive care units, through all 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 instructed to ensure the security of lives and property within their facilities and to provide regular updates to the ministry on the impact of the strike on service delivery.
The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to maintaining essential healthcare services nationwide despite the industrial action.
Meanwhile, a public health expert, Dr Gabriel Adakole, said the enforcement of the “No Work, No Pay” policy against striking health workers was legally backed and aimed at ending the ongoing JOHESU strike.
Speaking in an interview with reporters in Abuja, Adakole, however, warned that the policy could have significant implications for Nigeria’s fragile health system.
“JOHESU members, including nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and other allied health professionals, are critical to hospital operations,” he said.
“Their absence weakens service delivery, even when emergency units remain open.
“While hospitals have been directed to sustain critical services and engage locum staff, emergency-only care cannot replace full multidisciplinary healthcare, raising risks to patient safety and treatment outcomes,” he added.
Adakole also noted that the policy could increase financial pressure on health workers, worsen morale and accelerate the brain drain in Nigeria’s health sector.
Ultimately, he said patients were likely to bear the greatest burden through delayed treatments and reduced access to care.
He stressed that while the “No Work, No Pay” policy might shorten strikes, lasting stability in the health sector would require dialogue, trust-building and sustained investment in healthcare workers and infrastructure.
