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Federal Government Enforces No Work, No Pay Policy on Striking Health Workers

Published

3 months ago

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal Government has mandated the immediate implementation of the “No Work, No Pay” policy against striking members of the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Health Care Professionals (JOHESU).

The directive was issued via a circular from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoHSW) on Saturday.

Addressed to Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of all federal health institutions, the circular was signed by Dr. Disu Adejoke, Director of Hospital Services, on behalf of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare. The order is a direct response to the ongoing JOHESU industrial action, which began on November 14, 2025.

Effective January 2026, the policy will apply to all participating JOHESU members and any other staff who join the strike. Hospital managements have been instructed to ensure strict compliance with the policy.

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While enforcing the sanction, the Ministry directed health institutions to maintain critical services—including accident and emergency care, labour wards, and intensive care units—using all lawful means. This may include hiring temporary locum staff. The circular explicitly states that staff willing to work must be allowed to do so “without hindrance or intimidation.”

Hospital authorities are also tasked with ensuring security within their facilities and providing regular updates to the Ministry on the strike’s impact on healthcare delivery. The government reaffirmed its commitment to preserving essential health services nationwide despite the industrial action.

Expert Warns of Systemic Risks

In a related interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Abuja-based public health expert Dr. Gabriel Adakole described the government’s move as a legally justified measure to end the strike. However, he highlighted serious implications for Nigeria’s already strained health system.

“JOHESU members—including nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, and allied health professionals—are essential to hospital operations. Their absence critically weakens service delivery, even where emergency units remain open,” Adakole stated.

He cautioned that relying on emergency-only care and locum staff cannot replace full multidisciplinary services, which raises risks to patient safety and treatment outcomes. The policy, he added, could exacerbate financial hardship for health workers, further demoralize the workforce, and accelerate the ongoing exodus of medical professionals from Nigeria.

“Ultimately, patients bear the greatest cost through delayed treatments and reduced access to care,” Adakole emphasized.

While acknowledging that the “No Work, No Pay” policy may compel a quicker resolution, he stressed that lasting stability in the health sector requires meaningful dialogue, trust-building, and sustained investment in both health workers and infrastructure.

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Insecurity: US lawmaker accuses Matawalle of bribe attempt to silence recommendation calling for his sack

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1 hour ago

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April 21, 2026

By

Governor Matawalle

 

Kimberly Daniels, a United States Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives for District 14, has alleged that Nigeria’s minister of state for defense, Bello Matawalle, attempted to bribe a US official to deflect the narrative of the United World Congress of Diplomats, UN-WCD, report.

The lawmaker made the claim in a viral video released on her official Facebook account on Monday.

She said Matawalle’s alleged move was to cover up the UN-WCD report on Christian genocide in Nigeria, which indicted him.

Daniels insisted that no amount of pressure can silence her stand against the killings of Christians in Nigeria.

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“A US elected official was offered money by Nigeria’s minister of state defense, Bello Matawalle, to change the narrative of the UN-WCD Christian genocide in Nigeria report,” she said in the viral video.

Recall that Daniels, who doubled as the chairperson of UN-WCD, had called for President Bola Tinubu to remove Matawalle over alleged complicity in the killings in Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, and other parts of Nigeria.

Matawalle is yet to officially reply the US lawmaker.

Daniels alleged that following her recent press statement on what she described as targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria, she came under pressure from individuals she linked to the minister, including what she characterised as attempts to discredit her report and “buy support” from US-based elected officials.

According to her, an unnamed American lawmaker allegedly received an offer of financial inducement to publicly counter her position and defend the Nigerian defence leadership.

She claimed to have received evidence of a communication, including a prepared statement and promotional material, purportedly linked to the minister.

She also claimed that the bribery attempt is meant to divide America elected officials not knowing that they are united.

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Just In:President Tinubu Sacks Minister Of Finance

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5 hours ago

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April 21, 2026

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the membership of the Federal Executive Council.

According to a memo signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, two cabinet members, Mr. Wale Edun and Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa are to leave the cabinet while their replacements have been named.

Edun, until the latest development, was the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy. He has been directed to hand over to Mr. Taiwo Oyedele who is now to take over as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy. Oyedele was formerly a Minister of State in the ministry.

Also Mr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma (PhD .) has been named as the ministerial nominee and minister designate for the Housing and Urban Development Ministry.

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The memo also directed Dangiwa to hand over to the Minister of State in the ministry.

The memo stated that “all handing over and taking over processes should be completed on or before close of business on Thursday 23rd April, 2026.”

Explaining the President’s decision, Akume said: “These changes are aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

He said the President, in approving the cabinet reshuffle, has fully exercised his powers as conferred on him by Sections 147 and 148 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended).

The President thanked the outgoing ministers for their services to the nation while wishing them the best in all their future endeavours.

The President, Akume noted, equally assured all cabinet members that “the process of reinvigoration shall be continuous.”

Signed:

Yomi Odunuga,
Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation

21-04-2026

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JUST IN: FG Files 13 Count Charges Against Alleged Coup Plotters

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12 hours ago

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April 21, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal Government has filed a 13-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against individuals accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu. Among those named in the suit are a retired major general, a retired naval captain, a serving police inspector, and three other suspects.

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According to security sources, the coup was scheduled to be executed on Nigeria’s Independence Day. However, the plot was uncovered after preparations and plans were leaked, leading to its successful disruption.

The development prompted the Federal Government to cancel the Independence Day programme—a move described as highly unusual by political observers.

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