Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Joint Health Sector Unions temporarily suspend their planned picketing of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, easing tensions in the ongoing health sector labour dispute.
JOHESU President Kabiru Minjibir confirms the decision on Wednesday, saying the suspension follows the President’s decision to set up a high-level committee to engage labour leaders and address outstanding demands.
The unions had planned the picketing to press for the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure and other welfare concerns after launching an indefinite nationwide strike on November 15, 2025.
Minjibir says the issues affecting JOHESU were formally raised during a late-night meeting between President Tinubu and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress on Tuesday.
“The President met with the leadership of the NLC last night, and we tabled the issue of JOHESU before him,” Minjibir says.
According to him, Tinubu directs the formation of a committee chaired by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, with Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris and the Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, as members.
The committee is mandated to meet labour leaders, resolve outstanding issues and report directly to the President.
A follow-up meeting between the committee and labour representatives is scheduled for Wednesday morning, focusing largely on the long-standing demand for CONHESS adjustment.
“In view of the ongoing talks, we have put the picketing on hold,” Minjibir says, adding that the union remains cautiously optimistic. “Yes, we are hopeful, but it depends on the outcome of the committee’s deliberations,” he adds.
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Oluwafunbi Bello 
Mirian Gom 
Hussaini Ibrahim