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.

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.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Tinubu has intervened to address the escalating political conflict in Rivers State, reportedly summoning the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to a meeting abroad. This move comes amid renewed impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The Impending Meeting

According to a top presidency source, the meeting is scheduled to take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, following the President’s visit to France. The source indicated that President Tinubu views the latest political maneuvers as a potential threat to stability.

“The President must see the danger in what Wike is doing. I am aware he has summoned him to a meeting in Dubai… Wike cannot impeach Fubara; the President will call him to order,” the source stated. The insider further warned that targeting the state’s first Ijaw governor could provoke unrest in the Niger Delta, with severe consequences for the national economy.

Renewed Impeachment Move

The crisis intensified on Thursday when 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, loyal to Minister Wike, initiated fresh impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his Deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.

The seven-count notice, read by Majority Leader Major Jack, accuses the governor of gross misconduct, including the demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary spending, and failure to comply with a Supreme Court ruling on legislative financial autonomy. Deputy Governor Odu faces allegations of reckless spending and obstructing the Assembly.

Speaker Martins Amaewhule defended the move as being “in the interest of Rivers State,” criticizing the governor for not presenting the 2026 budget.

This development shatters a fragile peace brokered by President Tinubu after a previous impeachment crisis led to a six-month state of emergency in March 2025. The truce collapsed shortly after emergency rule ended, with Wike accusing Fubara of reneging on agreements and vowing to block his second-term bid, despite both now being members of the All-Progressives Congress (APC).

While a presidential aide declined to confirm the foreign meeting, stating only Wike’s camp could do so, senior APC officials revealed growing party discontent.

A national leader confirmed plans to brief the President upon his return, noting that “some of our leaders believe Wike should have respected the President and the party because Fubara is now one of our governors.”

A member of the APC National Working Committee criticized Wike’s actions as “a show of disregard for the President, the APC, and national interest,” suggesting they project the President as weak.

An ally of Minister Wike denied his involvement in the impeachment plot, affirming that “Wike is the number one supporter of Mr President.” The ally confirmed the minister’s return to Abuja on Sunday but did not verify the meeting with Tinubu.

Former Senator Andrew Uchendu described the recurring crisis as “an embarrassment to the people of Rivers State” and called for an inclusive dialogue, urging the President to restore order.

The association of Resident Doctors, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (ARD AKTH), has formally announced its decision to join the nationwide strike declared by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD). According to Dr. Bello Aminu Bello, President of ARD AKTH, the strike, known as the Total and Indefinite Consolidated Strike (TICS 2.0), will commence at midnight on Monday, January 12, 2026.

Dr. Bello explained that the decision was reached after “extensive deliberations and in strict alignment with the directive of NARD.” He emphasized that the strike was not taken lightly but was necessitated by “prolonged engagement, repeated assurances, and persistent failure by relevant authorities to address critical welfare, training, and remuneration concerns affecting resident doctors and the healthcare system.”

In outlining the doctors’ demands, Dr. Bello stressed that they remain “clear, legitimate, and long overdue.” Among the key issues highlighted were the immediate reinstatement of the FTH Lokoja Five, payment of all outstanding promotion and salary arrears, and the full implementation of the approved professional allowance table with arrears captured in the 2026 Federal Budget.

The ARD AKTH president further noted that the association is calling for “official clarification by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to Chief Executives on skipping and entry-level placement issues.” He added that the re-introduction and full implementation of the Specialist Allowance is also a priority for resident doctors.

Dr. Bello also drew attention to the plight of House Officers, stating that “the resolution of salary delays and arrears, with issuance of a clear pay advisory, is urgently needed.” He explained that the association is equally demanding the re-categorization of membership certificates and issuance of certificates post Part I examinations by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN).

On working conditions, Dr. Bello revealed that ARD AKTH is insisting on “the immediate commencement of locum practice and work-hours regulation committees.” He added that the resumption and timely conclusion of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) process is critical to restoring confidence in the system.

Highlighting the implications of the unresolved issues, Dr. Bello warned that “the continued neglect of these matters poses serious risks to healthcare delivery, workforce morale, and patient safety.” He stressed that resident doctors cannot continue to function optimally in an environment of uncertainty and unfulfilled commitments.

Despite the strike declaration, Dr. Bello assured that ARD AKTH remains open to dialogue. “We are open to genuine, concrete, and time-bound negotiations, but until meaningful progress is achieved, we stand in full solidarity with NARD and resident doctors nationwide,” he stated.

The announcement shows a major disruption in healthcare services in Kano and across Nigeria, as resident doctors form the backbone of medical care in teaching hospitals. The government is now under mounting pressure to respond to the doctors’ demands before the strike begins.