By Awwal Umar The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to withdraw w...
By Awwal Umar
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to withdraw what it describes as an illegal circular directing the stoppage of salaries of members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
In a statement issued on Wednesday and jointly signed by its President, Comrade Festus Osifo, and General Secretary, Dr. Nuhu Toro, the Congress rejected a circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on the implementation of the “No Work, No Pay” policy through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), with effect from January 2026.
The TUC also directed all its state councils nationwide to be on red alert should the government fail to withdraw the circular within the stipulated period.
The statement read in part:
“The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) 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 members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) through IPPIS.”
The Congress described the circular—signed by the Director of Hospital Services, Dr. Abisola Adegoke, mni—as “reckless, authoritarian, and confrontational,” accusing the government of declaring hostility against health workers who continue to operate under harsh and deteriorating conditions.
According to the TUC, the action amounts to a gross abuse of power, a deliberate sabotage of ongoing negotiations, and a clear violation of established principles of industrial relations.
“You cannot negotiate with workers on one hand and unleash punishment with the other. This circular is not policy; it is intimidation, and Congress will not accept it,” the statement added.
The labour centre further condemned the stoppage of salaries, describing it as “wicked, insensitive, provocative, and profoundly unpatriotic,” especially in the face of rising inflation, fuel price hikes, and worsening economic hardship.
The TUC also warned against what it termed the “weaponisation of IPPIS” to punish workers, stressing that the Congress would resist any attempt to starve workers into submission.
“History has shown, clearly and repeatedly, that Nigerian workers do not surrender their rights under threats or hunger,” the statement said.
The Congress demanded the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the circular, the restoration of all affected salaries, and a return to negotiations within seven days.
It warned that failure to comply would compel organised labour to mobilise workers nationwide for decisive collective action.
“Any industrial tension, disruption of services, or nationwide action that may follow rests squarely on the shoulders of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and its leadership, who have chosen confrontation over dialogue,” the TUC stated.
Accordingly, all TUC affiliates, the 36 state councils, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council have been placed on red alert and directed to remain on standby for further directives.
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