By Ajibola Olaide, JKNewsMedia Reporter
NIGERIA’s NURSES have dismissed reports suggesting their ongoing warning strike has ended, directly contradicting a public announcement by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate.
The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) confirmed on Friday that its industrial action remains active, countering statements made by the Minister following a closed-door meeting in Abuja.
Professor Pate had earlier told journalists that the nurses had agreed to suspend their seven-day warning strike after reaching terms with the federal government.
Speaking to Daily Trust, NANNM’s National Chairman, Morakinyo Rilwan, refuted the minister’s claim, stating clearly that no decision had been taken to suspend the strike.
“If it was the Minister who organised the strike, then he could call it off. As far as I’m concerned, the strike organised by the association is still ongoing.
“The Minister didn’t organise the strike, so he doesn’t have the authority to call it off,” Rilwan said during a telephone interview.
The strike, which began on Wednesday, was declared by NANNM in protest against persistent issues affecting the nursing profession, including poor remuneration, critical staff shortages, unpaid allowances, and unsafe working conditions across health facilities.
It followed the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued by the association to the federal government.
NANNM maintains that unless formally resolved through established internal processes, the industrial action will proceed as planned.
Meanwhile, the strike has disrupted health services nationwide, compounding existing tensions between healthcare workers and the federal government, particularly amid ongoing disputes with medical doctors over welfare and professional conditions.
