.As hospitals get order to stop striking health workers salaries
.Resident Doctors make U-turn on planned strike amid FG’s threat of ‘No Work, No Pay’
By Uche Onyeali, Abuja
Federal Government has ordered immediate enforcement of the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy against members of the Joint Health Sector Unions ,JOHESU, and Assembly of Health Care Professionals participating in the ongoing strike.
This is contained in a circular addressed to chief medical directors and medical directors of federal health institutions, issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on Saturday in Abuja.
The circular, dated January 8, 2026, was signed by the director of Hospital Services, Dr Disu Adejoke, on behalf of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.
The document stated that the directive followed the continuation of the strike by health workers, which began on November 14, 2025.
According to the ministry, hospital managements are to ensure strict compliance with the federal government’s ‘No Work, No Pay’ law, with effect from January 2026 and applies to all striking JOHESU members, as well as any other category of staff who may embark on industrial action.
The ministry also 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 read.
It further directed hospital authorities 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.
Meanwhile, Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, has suspended its planned strike slated to commence today.
NARD made this known in a statement issued by its Secretary-General, Shuaibu Ibrahim, yesterday.
AljazirahNigeria reports that NARD had earlier announced the strike after its emergency national executive council, E-NEC, meeting held on January 2 over unmet by Federal Government.
Recall that association of resident doctors have embarked on strike actions since the inception of the administration of President Tinubu. Mr President, during his inauguration had promised that there won’t be industrial action during his administration, a promise yet to be kept.
