By Joke Kujenya
THE NATIONWIDE strike by the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has been suspended following formal commitments by the Federal Government to address the union’s nine-point demands.
Four days into the planned seven-day warning strike, the national executive council of the association convened an emergency virtual meeting where it resolved to call off the industrial action after reviewing a signed memorandum of understanding and implementation framework.
The strike, which began on 29 July 2025, paralysed operations across federal hospitals and public health centres.
NANNM says its demands included an upward review of shift and uniform allowances, a dedicated salary structure for nurses, improved core duty allowances, mass recruitment, and the creation of a nursing department within the Federal Ministry of Health.
Key engagements held on Friday with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Office of the Head of Service, National Salaries and Wages Commission, and the Office of the Accountant General led to the formalisation of agreements between the government and the union.
In a circular signed by NANNM National President Haruna Mamman and General Secretary T.A. Shettima, the union announced that “in view of the formal agreement reached, and in line with the principle of dialogue and good faith, NEC hereby suspends the ongoing nationwide strike action with immediate effect.”
The council acknowledged that the government had made concrete commitments and agreed on clear timelines for implementing all nine core demands.
The association also assured its members, including interns and locum staff, that no form of victimisation would be tolerated.
State councils have been directed to mobilise members for an immediate return to duty.
The union also stated it would continue to monitor the Federal Government’s compliance with the agreed implementation timelines.
Confirming the suspension at a press conference in Abuja, Mamman said the union’s leadership was guided by good faith and evidence of progress.
He reaffirmed that another round of meetings with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Labour has been scheduled for Wednesday.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, confirmed on Friday that the strike had been called off following closed-door talks with union representatives.
Earlier, the Minister of Labour, Muhammadu Dingyadi, had urged the union to consider dialogue over industrial action, describing strikes as ineffective in resolving critical sectoral issues.
During the strike, the health system experienced disruptions in service delivery, with most government hospitals experiencing reduced activity and patient delays nationwide.
NANNM’s Federal Health Institutions Sector Chairman, Morakinyo-Olajide Rilwan, restated that the union’s demands also include the gazetting of a revised scheme of service for nurses, employment of more staff, specialty allowances for advanced practice nurses, and enhanced remuneration packages.
The association further maintains it will continue to engage the government to ensure full implementation of all agreed items.
