By Joe Udo
ABUJA (CONVERSEER) – The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has suspended its nationwide warning strike following a meeting with the Federal Government.
The Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Pate, announced the decision on Friday after a closed-door session with the association’s leadership in Abuja. He said the strike was called off after both parties reached an agreement on issues raised by the union.
“The Federal Government and the leadership of NANNM have reached an understanding, and the warning strike has been suspended,” Pate told journalists.
Union leaders, however, declined to speak to the press after the meeting.
Background of the Strike
The association had commenced the strike on 29 July, citing poor welfare, inadequate allowances, and unfavourable working conditions in federal health institutions. The industrial action, which disrupted services in public health facilities across the country, was initially scheduled to last until 5 August.
Before the suspension, NANNM’s National Chairman, Morakinyo Rilwan, had accused the Federal Government of ignoring the union’s 15-day ultimatum issued on 14 July. He said the strike was the result of “years of neglect” and a lack of engagement by authorities.
Among the union’s key demands are an upward review of shift and uniform allowances, implementation of a separate salary structure for nurses, increased core duty allowance, mass employment of nurses, and the creation of a dedicated nursing department in the Federal Ministry of Health.
The agreement reached with the government is expected to pave the way for continued negotiations aimed at resolving these long-standing concerns.
