Posted on: Thu 08-01-2026

Nigeria’s public health system has entered one of its most difficult moments in recent years as the Joint Health Sector Unions continues its indefinite nationwide strike, following two failed conciliation meetings with the Federal Government.

The industrial action, which began at midnight on November 14, has left hospitals across the country deserted, primary healthcare centres abandoned and critical services grounded. At Ogudu Primary Healthcare Centre in Lagos, the usually busy facility was completely empty, with no staff or patients in sight.

Similar situations are being reported nationwide. A patient living with a chronic illness said she was turned back at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and advised to seek care at a private facility, which she could not afford. Many patients managing hypertension, diabetes, sickle cell disease, cancer and kidney disorders now face serious risks due to lack of access to monitoring, medication refills and diagnostic services.

In an interview, JOHESU National Secretary Comrade Martin Egbanubi said the strike is driven by one unresolved issue: the implementation of the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure. He explained that the unions are not presenting multiple demands and that the salary adjustment has been pending since 2014 despite having a circular, salary table and payment plan already prepared.

Egbanubi confirmed that two conciliation meetings chaired by the Minister of Labour or the Permanent Secretary ended in deadlock. He noted that JOHESU represents about 85 percent of Nigeria’s health workforce, including pharmacists, physiotherapists, laboratory scientists, health technologists and administrative personnel, which explains the near total shutdown of hospitals nationwide.

At the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, the Chief Medical Director, Professor Adetokunbo Fabamwo, said almost all activities have been grounded. He warned that the health sector cannot sustain back to back strikes without severe humanitarian consequences and appealed to both the government and unions to find common ground for the sake of patients.

The standoff is rooted in years of delays and unfulfilled promises. JOHESU says the government has failed to implement the CONHESS adjustment despite assurances from the High Level Body Committee in 2022 and commitments made by President Bola Tinubu during a meeting with union leaders in June 2023. Previous strikes were suspended in June 2023 and October 2024 after agreements that were never honoured.

Egbanubi said the unions have shown maturity and patriotism but feel taken for granted. He insisted that JOHESU will return to work once the CONHESS adjustment is implemented. Meanwhile, hospitals remain silent and patients continue to bear the brunt of the stalemate, with many unable to access essential care.

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