Nurses, Midwives Suspend Strike, Announces Minister
The industrial action initiated by the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has been suspended, as declared by the Minister of Health, Ali Pate.
Following a confidential meeting held on Friday, Pate informed journalists that the decision was reached after discussions with the nursing association’s leadership.
Nevertheless, the union leaders chose not to comment on the matter after the private meeting on Friday afternoon.
Members of the association had launched a warning strike on July 29, 2025, due to what they perceived as the government’s inadequate response to their 15-day ultimatum issued on July 14, 2025.
The warning strike, involving nurses in public health facilities nationwide, was anticipated to persist until August 5, 2025.
The strike arose from enduring concerns regarding nurses’ welfare and substandard working conditions, alongside the government’s hesitance to address these issues.
The union had called for enhanced welfare, equitable allowances, and improved working conditions for nurses across federal health institutions.
Morakinyo Rilwan, the union’s National Chairman, had asserted that the Federal Government had failed to engage constructively with the association during the allotted timeframe.
“As far as we are concerned, there has been no communication from the government until now. That is why we maintain the strike is ongoing, and nothing will halt it.
“Even if the government reaches out today or tomorrow, it won’t cease the strike. They had ample opportunity,” Rilwan had remarked.
The nurses’ demands encompass the upward revision of shift allowance, modification of uniform allowance, implementation of a distinct salary structure for nurses, augmentation of core duty allowance, extensive recruitment of nurses, and the establishment of a dedicated nursing department within the Federal Ministry of Health.
Rilwan emphasized that the decision to cease work was not unilaterally made by the union’s leadership but was propelled by a surge of frustration among members over persistent neglect.
