NIGERIAN NURSES SUSPEND STRIKE AFTER FEDERAL GOVT AGREES TO IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK

By: IDNN Health Desk

ABUJA — The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has suspended its nationwide warning strike, ending four days of service disruption across federal hospitals and clinics.

The decision was reached during an emergency virtual session of NANNM’s National Executive Council (NEC) on Saturday, following a breakthrough in negotiations with several arms of the Federal Government.

“The strike has been suspended. Nurses and midwives are to resume duty immediately,”
confirmed Chidi Aligwe, Assistant Secretary-General of NANNM.

Resolution Achieved: Nine-Point Agreement Signed

The NEC announced that the federal government has agreed to a time-bound implementation framework covering the association’s nine core demands, including:

• Upward review of shift and uniform allowances

• New salary structure for nurses

• Increased core duty allowances

• Mass recruitment of clinical staff

• Establishment of a dedicated Department of Nursing Services under the Ministry of Health

A circular signed by NANNM President Haruna Mamman and General Secretary T.A. Shettima confirmed the resolution, noting that the government has formally committed in writing.

“In view of the formal agreement reached, and in line with the principle of dialogue and good faith, NEC hereby suspends the ongoing strike action with immediate effect,” the statement read.

 Week of Disruption: What Nigerians Faced

The strike, which began on July 29, saw major federal hospitals across Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt scale back services.

• Outpatient units were shut

• Surgical procedures delayed

• Patients were turned away or referred

• Emergency care remained skeletal and largely understaffed

IDNN field teams visited hospitals in Wuse, Gwagwalada, LUTH, and UBTH, confirming widespread delays and patient overflow in waiting rooms.

“We only saw emergency cases. The strike hit hard,” one duty nurse in Lagos said anonymously.

 NEC’s Warning and Call for Unity

NANNM has ordered its state chapters to ensure full resumption, but also warned against any victimization of striking nurses — especially interns, locum staff, and new intakes.

“We will not tolerate any form of retribution,” the union emphasized. “Solidarity is the foundation of our dignity.”

🩺 Broader Implications for Nigeria’s Health Workforce

The nurses’ strike followed a 15-day ultimatum issued on 14 July, after multiple delays in policy implementation by government ministries.

The protest reflects wider concerns in Nigeria’s overburdened healthcare system, including:

• Understaffing

• Low remuneration

• Infrastructure strain

• Brain drain of trained nurses to foreign health systems

With rising pressure on the health sector, stakeholders say this resolution must be more than words on paper.

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