The nationwide warning strike by Nigerian nurses and midwives has been suspended following a closed-door meeting with government officials.
On Friday, Health Minister Ali Pate confirmed that the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) agreed to call off the strike after reaching “key agreements” with the federal government. However, the full details of the agreement were not disclosed to the public.
The strike, which began on July 29 and was scheduled to last until August 5, was organised in protest against poor working conditions, low pay, and lack of recognition for the nursing profession in Nigeria. The decision to suspend the action comes just days after negotiations between both sides initially ended in a deadlock.
According to Minister Pate, the meeting between union leaders and government representatives resulted in some progress on the long-standing issues raised by the nurses. While union officials have not confirmed the exact terms of the agreement, their decision to halt the strike suggests that discussions were productive enough to warrant a pause in industrial action.
At the heart of the nurses’ demands is the implementation of the Nurses’ Scheme of Service, which was approved by the National Council on Establishment (NCE) in 2016 but has yet to be gazetted. The union also wants the government to enforce a 2012 National Industrial Court judgment, which they argue supports key parts of their professional entitlements.
Other key issues raised include poor salaries, delays in recruitment, inadequate health facilities, and a call for better representation of nurses in decision-making bodies within the health sector. The nurses are also demanding the creation of a dedicated Department of Nursing within the Federal Ministry of Health, an upward review of professional allowances, and centralised internship placements for new graduates.
The recognition of consultancy status for qualified nurses and midwives is another critical demand that has remained unresolved over the years.
Although the strike has been suspended, NANNM has not ruled out future action if their demands are not fully addressed. The government now faces pressure to act quickly and implement the agreed changes to avoid further disruptions in the healthcare system.
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