Nurses Suspend Nationwide Strike After Government Commitments

The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has officially suspended its nationwide warning strike.

This update was confirmed on Saturday by Chidi Aligwe, Assistant Secretary-General of the association, following a virtual emergency meeting of NANNM’s National Executive Council (NEC). The decision came after fruitful discussions held Friday with key government bodies, including the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ministry of Labour, Office of the Head of Service, and the National Salaries and Wages Commission.

The strike, which began on Wednesday, was in response to long-standing demands such as a separate salary structure for nurses, an upward review of shift and uniform allowances, core duty allowance increase, mass recruitment, and the establishment of a nursing department within the Ministry of Health.

According to a circular signed by NANNM’s National President, Haruna Mamman, and General Secretary, T.A. Shettima, NEC resolved to suspend the strike after reviewing the signed Memorandum of Understanding and a time-bound implementation plan provided by the government.

The circular directed all members to resume duty immediately, while assuring that no nurse, intern, or locum staff would be penalized for participating in the strike.

NEC thanked all members for their solidarity and reaffirmed the association’s dedication to advocating for the welfare and rights of Nigerian nurses and midwives.