Nurses call off a 7-day warning strike

From Fred Ezeh, Abuja

The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has suspended the seven days nationwide warning strike it started on Tuesday.

The decision was reached after an emergency virtual meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the association on 2nd August 2025, where the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was reviewed.

NANNM President and Secretary-General, Haruna Mamman and Thomas Shettima, respectively, in a joint statement, yesterday, indicated that the decision followed a successful negotiation meeting with the Federal Government held on 1st August, 2025.

The statement noted that the federal government has committed to a time-bound implementation of all nine key demands presented by the Association.

“In view of these developments NEC has directed the immediate suspension of the strike in line with the principle of dialogue and good faith.”

The NANNM leadership appreciated its members natilonwide for their unity, patience, and resilience, adding that the Association remained commited to dialogue and would continue to champion the rights and welfare of Nigerian nurses and midwives.

Meanwhile, the nurses had listed nine items which include the gazzetting of the nurses scheme of service approved by the National Council on Establishment (NCE) in 2016 in Minna, Niger State; implementation of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN Judgment of January 27, 2012 in Suit No: NICN/AB316/2020); upward review of professional allowance for nurses and midwives.

Others are employment of nursing personnel and adequate provision of health facility equipment; creation of a Department of Nursing in the Federal Ministry of Health; inclusion of nurses in the headship of health policy-making bodies; fair representation by the association on the board and membership in Federal Health Institutions (FHIs); centralization of internship posting for graduate nurses; and consultancy for nurses and midwives.