Four Days of Tension End in Relief
Hospitals and healthcare centers across Nigeria are breathing a sigh of relief as the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) officially suspended its nationwide strike on Saturday, just four days after it began.
The strike, which commenced on Wednesday, paralyzed critical healthcare services in both public and private facilities. Nurses downed tools to demand long-overdue improvements in their working conditions and compensation — including a separate salary structure, increased shift and duty allowances, and better recruitment policies.
But following intense negotiations and a high-stakes virtual meeting of NANNM’s National Executive Council (NEC), the strike has been suspended, and nurses have been instructed to resume work immediately.
Why the Strike Happened: Nurses Demand Fair Treatment
Before suspending the strike, Nigerian nurses were clear about their frustrations. Their demands included:
• An upward review of shift allowance
• Adjustment of uniform allowance
• Implementation of a separate salary structure for nurses
• Increase in core duty allowance
• Mass recruitment of qualified nurses
• Establishment of a Nursing Department within the Federal Ministry of Health
Many healthcare professionals described the strike not just as a protest over wages but as a call for respect, structure, and sustainable welfare in the nursing profession — a cornerstone of Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system.
Breakthrough: Federal Government Responds to Pressure
Negotiations moved swiftly after the strike’s initiation, showing the urgency of the matter. On Friday, a meeting was held between NANNM and several top government offices, including:
• The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
• The Ministry of Labour and Employment
• The Office of the Head of Service
• The Accountant General of the Federation
• The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission
Following these deliberations, the government reportedly agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining specific timelines for implementing the nine core demands presented by the nurses’ union.
Official Confirmation: Circular From NANNM Leadership
The strike suspension was confirmed through an official circular titled “Suspension of the Ongoing Nationwide Nurses’ Strike”. It was jointly signed by the National President, Haruna Mamman, and the General Secretary, T.A. Shettima.
The circular stated:
“NEC acknowledges the positive steps taken by the Federal Government in responding to the nine core demands of NANNM, particularly the commitment to clear timelines for implementation.”
It added:
“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.”
No Room for Victimization
Importantly, the NEC warned against any form of victimization or punishment for nurses who participated in the strike.
“No member of NANNM, including interns and locum nurses, should be victimised for participating in the nationwide strike,” the circular read.
This provision has been widely praised by union members as a show of solidarity and protection from workplace retaliation.
What Comes Next: Monitoring and Accountability
While the strike is over, the nurses are not letting their guard down. NANNM has directed its national leadership to closely monitor the government’s compliance with the signed MoU.
The NEC emphasized that while it is committed to dialogue and peaceful resolution, it remains equally committed to defending the rights, dignity, and welfare of all Nigerian nurses and midwives.
Conclusion: A Temporary Truce or Long-Term Solution?
For now, patients, hospitals, and the healthcare system can breathe a collective sigh of relief. But whether this strike marks a turning point in how the government treats Nigerian nurses—or simply a temporary pause—remains to be seen.
What is clear, however, is that nurses have found their voice. And if promises are broken again, they won’t hesitate to walk out once more—not just for better pay, but for the respect and recognition their role so clearly deserves.
