The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has officially suspended its nationwide seven-day warning strike, just four days after it began, following a breakthrough in negotiations with the Federal Government.
The confirmation came from Chidi Aligwe, Assistant Secretary-General of NANNM, in a statement reported by Saturday Punch.
Strike Action: What Prompted It?
Nurses and midwives across Nigeria had embarked on the industrial action on Wednesday to demand:
Upward review of shift allowances
Adjustment of uniform allowances
Creation of a separate salary structure for nurses
Increase in core duty allowances
Mass recruitment of nurses
Establishment of a Nursing Department within the Federal Ministry of Health
The strike disrupted healthcare services nationwide, raising concerns about patient care and hospital capacity amid ongoing shortages of medical staff.
Breakthrough in Abuja: Agreement Reached
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, confirmed on Friday that the union had called off the strike following a closed-door negotiation session with government officials in Abuja.
“After extensive deliberations on the critical issues raised, we’ve reached actionable agreements with NANNM,” said the minister.
He added that the government remains committed to enhancing the welfare and working conditions of healthcare professionals and would implement the agreements in phases, addressing urgent demands first.
Next Steps: Continued Engagement Promised
NANNM leadership also affirmed that the union would continue to monitor and engage with the Federal Government to ensure that the agreed-upon measures are fully implemented.
This development marks a significant step in addressing the long-standing grievances of nurses and midwives—critical players in Nigeria’s fragile healthcare system.
