The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has suspended its nationwide strike after 84 days of industrial action, bringing temporary relief to Nigeria’s public health sector.
The decision was reached at the end of an expanded emergency meeting of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) held on Friday in Abuja. The meeting was convened to review the outcome of a conciliation session between JOHESU and the Federal Government, which took place on Thursday at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
In a communiqué issued after the NEC meeting, JOHESU stated that the suspension of the strike was to allow for the implementation of the Terms of Settlement agreed upon during discussions with the Federal Government.
The union said it considered the resolutions reached at the conciliation meeting and resolved to give the government an opportunity to fulfil its commitments within the agreed timelines. While details of the settlement were not fully disclosed, the agreement is understood to address key demands raised by the union at the commencement of the strike.
The industrial action, which began 84 days ago, significantly disrupted services across federal health institutions, affecting hospitals and other public healthcare facilities nationwide. Patients in many centres experienced delays in accessing medical services, while some facilities operated at skeletal levels.
JOHESU, which represents various professional groups within the health sector, had embarked on the strike over issues relating to welfare, remuneration, and working conditions.
The union emphasised that it would continue to monitor the implementation process closely and warned that failure to honour the agreement could prompt further action.
The suspension is expected to pave the way for the gradual restoration of full services across public health institutions as workers resume duties nationwide.
