Nurses Call Off Nationwide Strike After Four Days
The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has officially suspended its nationwide warning strike, bringing relief to healthcare institutions across the country.
This development was confirmed to our correspondent on Saturday by Chidi Aligwe, the association’s Assistant Secretary-General.
The strike, which began on Wednesday, was initially set to last seven days. It was launched to press for long-standing demands, including a review of shift and uniform allowances, a distinct salary structure for nurses, an increase in core duty allowance, the mass recruitment of nurses, and the creation of a dedicated nursing department within the Federal Ministry of Health.
The decision to suspend the strike came after a virtual emergency meeting of NANNM’s National Executive Council (NEC) on Saturday.
Prior to this, the association held a high-level dialogue on Friday with key government bodies, including the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Office of the Head of Civil Service, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Office of the Accountant General, and the National Salaries and Wages Commission.
Speaking on the outcome, Aligwe stated, “The strike has been suspended. Nurses and midwives are to resume duty immediately.”
This was also confirmed in an official circular titled “Suspension of the Ongoing Nationwide Nurses’ Strike,” signed by the association’s National President, Haruna Mamman, and General Secretary, T.A. Shettima.
The circular noted that the NEC decided to suspend the strike after reviewing the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the time-bound implementation framework agreed upon during negotiations.
It read in part:
“NEC acknowledges the positive steps taken by the Federal Government in addressing the nine core demands of NANNM, especially its commitment to a clear timeline for implementation.
In light of the formal agreement and in the spirit of dialogue and mutual respect, the NEC hereby suspends the nationwide strike action with immediate effect.”
The statement further directed state councils to ensure the prompt return of all members to duty stations. It also emphasized that no nurse—whether intern, permanent, or locum—should face any form of victimization for participating in the strike.
The NEC expressed gratitude for the unity and resilience shown by members throughout the industrial action, reaffirming the association’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the welfare, dignity, and professional rights of all nurses and midwives in Nigeria.