Strike Cancellation by Nurses Following Agreement with Federal Government

Strike Cancellation by Nurses Following Agreement with Federal Government

The Nigerian government has taken steps to address the unresolved demands of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), leading to the suspension of a seven-day nationwide strike that began on Wednesday.

Following a closed-door meeting with union leaders in Abuja, the Minister of Health, Ali Pate, announced that NANNM had called off the strike. This development comes after extensive deliberations and agreements on critical concerns raised by the association.

The government made commitments to address nine core demands presented by NANNM, including welfare improvements, fair allowances, and better working conditions. Although a final wage agreement has not yet been fully concluded, ongoing discussions on wages and working conditions are reportedly advancing.

The union's National Executive Council (NEC) stated in a circular that they acknowledged the positive steps taken by the federal government and directed members to resume work immediately without fear of victimization related to strike participation. However, the minister did not specify the exact nature of the agreements reached during the negotiations.

The strike was originally initiated to address issues related to shift allowance, uniform allowance, salary structure, core duty allowance, recruitment of nurses, and the establishment of a nursing department in the Federal Ministry of Health.

While the government has not yet provided a detailed plan on how they will address the unresolved demands of NANNM, the minister assured that the government remains committed to improving the welfare and working conditions of health professionals. Union leaders indicated that they would continue to engage with the Federal Government to ensure full implementation of the agreements reached during the negotiations.

The unresolved demands of NANNM, such as the creation of a separate salary structure for nurses and mass recruitment of nurses, are yet to be fully addressed by the government. The suspension of the strike does not necessarily mean that all demands of NANNM have been met, and the striking nurses will continue to monitor the government's compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and its implementation schedule.

This response from the government comes after a warning strike that highlighted longstanding concerns over nurses' welfare and poor working conditions, issues intensified by economic challenges in Nigeria, including wage delays and a health sector brain drain. The government’s open commitment to a time-bound framework to meet these demands was critical in convincing NANNM to suspend industrial action, signaling a willingness to negotiate despite the country's broader economic difficulties.

[1] Saturday Punch. (2025, July 29). NANNM Suspends Strike After Meeting with Minister of Health. Retrieved from www.saturdaypunchng.com/nannm-suspends-strike-after-meeting-with-minister-of-health/

[2] The Guardian. (2025, July 29). NANNM Suspends Strike Following Government Commitments. Retrieved from www.theguardian.com/nigeria-news/2025/jul/29/nannm-suspends-strike-following-government-commitments

[3] The Nation. (2025, July 29). NANNM Suspends Strike Following Government Assurances. Retrieved from www.thenationonlineng.net/nannm-suspends-strike-following-government-assurances/

[4] Vanguard. (2025, July 29). NANNM Suspends Strike Following Government Negotiations. Retrieved from www.vanguardngr.com/2025/07/nannm-suspends-strike-following-government-negotiations/

[5] Premium Times. (2025, July 29). NANNM Suspends Strike After Government Engages on Key Demands. Retrieved from www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/411228-nannm-suspends-strike-after-government-engages-on-key-demands.html

1. The suspension of the seven-day nationwide strike by the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) was announced after a meeting with the Minister of Health, Ali Pate, in Abuja.
2. The Nigerian government has shown commitment to addressing the core demands of NANNM, including welfare improvements, fair allowances, and better working conditions.
3. The strike was primarily aimed at addressing issues related to shift allowance, uniform allowance, salary structure, core duty allowance, recruitment of nurses, and the establishment of a nursing department in the Federal Ministry of Health.
4. The union's National Executive Council (NEC) directed members to resume work immediately, acknowledging the positive steps taken by the federal government.
5. Although a final wage agreement has not been reached, ongoing discussions between the government and NANNM are reportedly advancing.
6. The government has signaled a willingness to negotiate, despite the country's economic difficulties, and has given assurances about a time-bound framework to meet the demands raised by NANNM.
7. The unresolved demands, such as the creation of a separate salary structure for nurses and mass recruitment of nurses, are yet to be fully addressed by the government, with striking nurses planning to monitor the government’s compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and its implementation schedule.

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