“The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria unequivocally, vehemently and totally rejects the circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on the so-called implementation of ‘No Work, No Pay’ and the stoppage of salaries of JOHESU members through IPPIS, effective January 2026,” the statement read. The congress warned that the stoppage of salaries would worsen the hardship already faced by health workers amid rising inflation, fuel price increases and broader economic challenges. The TUC further condemned what it described as the “weaponisation” of IPPIS to punish workers, vowing to resist any attempt to force health workers back to work through salary stoppages. “The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare must immediately withdraw this circular, restore all affected salaries and return to the negotiation table within seven days. It warned that any industrial unrest arising from the situation would rest squarely on the leadership of the health ministry, accusing it of choosing confrontation over dialogue.

Source: Punch January 15, 2026 08:07 UTC