11.1.2026
The Lagos State government says it is intensifying efforts to resolve issues responsible for the ongoing strike by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) in the state.
The permanent secretary, Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, Ibrahim Mustafa, disclosed this during an interview with journalists on Sunday.
Mr Mustafa said the government recognises the disruption to health services and is prioritising dialogue to restore normal operations across public health facilities.
He explained that several high-level meetings had been convened to examine the demands and agree on practical steps towards resolution.
According to him, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains personally committed to resolving the dispute and restoring industrial harmony within the health sector.
“Some of the demands are not purely financial. They require technical and administrative inputs,” he said. “These are issues that require careful consideration by those managing different levels of healthcare delivery.”
Mr Mustafa said engagement with the unions was ongoing and expressed optimism that an agreement would be reached soon.
“We are meeting them, and we hope to resolve everything in the coming days,” he said.
Reacting, the secretary of JOHESU Lagos council, Adegboyega Kabiawu, said the union had yet to receive a formal invitation for talks.
Mr Kabiawu expressed surprise that the government allowed the impasse to persist, contrary to what he described as its usual proactive disposition.
“When we sensed they were waiting for us to wane, we strengthened our resolve and held firmly to the strike,” he said.
Mr Kabiawu said the union believed the issue had been discussed at the State Executive Council meeting held every Monday.
“Unfortunately, we did not receive any invitation for dialogue,” he added.
JOHESU members constitute about 85 per cent of health workers nationwide. It is an umbrella body for pharmacists, physiotherapists, dietitians and medical laboratory scientists.
Other members include optometrists, radiographers, dental therapists and medical physicists. The union also represents health information managers, clinical psychologists and medical social workers.
The strike, which began in Lagos on December 3, has disrupted services at health facilities across the city.
Nurses and doctors have continued attending to patients amid reduced manpower.
The situation may worsen with the nationwide strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors from Monday, January 12. NAN