After a tense week that saw widespread disruption across hospitals and health centres nationwide, the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has officially suspended its seven-day warning strike, following the successful conclusion of negotiations with the Federal Government.
The strike, which began on July 30, 2025, was launched in protest against what the union described as “chronic neglect, poor remuneration, and unsafe working conditions” affecting thousands of nurses across the country. For days, public hospitals operated at minimal capacity, with outpatient clinics closed and emergency services overstretched.
Key Demands Raised by the Nurses
The NANNM outlined several pressing issues in its initial strike notice, including:
- Massive shortage of staff in government-owned hospitals and clinics.
- Poor remuneration and allowances that do not reflect the hazards nurses face.
- Lack of equipment and poor infrastructure, particularly in rural healthcare centres.
- Harassment of nurses in the workplace and a call for greater legal protections.
- The urgent need to implement a unified scheme of service for nurses nationwide.
- Assurance that no striking nurses would face retaliatory disciplinary action.
The Federal Government, through a delegation led by the Minister of Health, Professor Ali Pate, and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, entered negotiations with union leaders after five days of shutdowns and growing public concern.
Breakthrough Agreement Reached
On Sunday evening, both parties reached a consensus, and the strike was suspended with immediate effect. According to NANNM President, Comrade Michael Nnachi, the agreement includes:
- A clear timeline for the recruitment of additional nurses, especially in underserved regions.
- Incremental wage adjustments that will be implemented in phases, beginning with the 2025 fiscal budget.
- Government commitment to upgrade healthcare infrastructure across all Federal Medical Centres and Teaching Hospitals.
- A zero-sanction policy for all nurses who participated in the strike.
- The establishment of a standing committee to monitor implementation of all agreements, with NANNM included as a key stakeholder.
Comrade Nnachi praised the unity shown by nurses across the country and thanked the public for their patience and support. He also made it clear that the union reserves the right to resume industrial action if the terms of the agreement are not implemented in good faith.
“This is a victory for Nigerian nurses. For too long, we have been treated as disposable, despite being the backbone of the health sector. This strike has shown that we are a force to be reckoned with. We are resuming duty, but we will be watching closely,” he said.
Government’s Response
The Minister of Health, Professor Ali Pate, commended the union for engaging constructively and assured Nigerians that the government is committed to improving working conditions in the health sector.
“Our nurses deserve dignity and fair treatment. The reforms we’ve agreed upon are long overdue, and we’re going to act swiftly to make them a reality. Healthcare cannot function without a motivated workforce,” the minister stated.
Meanwhile, hospitals across the country have begun to resume full operations, with nurses returning to wards, clinics, and emergency rooms. Many patients who had been turned away during the strike expressed relief.
“I had to postpone a surgery for my son because of the strike. I’m just glad the nurses are back. They are the real heroes in these hospitals,” said Grace Umeh, a mother at the Federal Medical Centre in Asaba.
Broader Implications
The strike highlights the broader challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare system—challenges that include underfunding, a brain drain of professionals to other countries, and systemic neglect of critical healthcare workers.
The incident has prompted calls from civil society groups and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) for a comprehensive review of health sector funding and an emergency action plan to halt the ongoing exodus of trained medical professionals from the country.
With over 94,000 nurses and doctors reportedly having migrated overseas in the last four years, the sustainability of Nigeria’s health workforce remains under threat.
As nurses resume their duties, the focus now shifts to implementation and accountability. Stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether the promises made will translate into real improvements on the ground—or if another strike is merely a matter of time.
0 Comments