The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has suspended its seven-day nationwide warning strike, directing members to return to work immediately.
The decision was reached during an emergency virtual meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) on Saturday, following a review of recent engagements with the Federal Government.
The industrial action, which began earlier in the week, sought the implementation of several demands, including an upward review of shift and uniform allowances, creation of a dedicated salary structure for nurses, an increase in core duty allowance, mass recruitment of nursing personnel, and the establishment of a dedicated nursing department within the Federal Ministry of Health.
On Friday, NANNM officials met with representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Office of the Accountant General, and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, among other stakeholders, in an effort to resolve the dispute.
Read Also: Doctors begin 3-day warning strike in Lagos
Confirming the suspension, Chidi Aligwe, Assistant Secretary-General of NANNM, said:
“The strike has been suspended. Nurses and midwives are to resume duty immediately.”
A formal circular signed by Haruna Mamman, NANNM’s National President, and T.A. Shettima, General Secretary, explained that the NEC resolved to call off the strike after reviewing the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and agreed timelines for implementing the key issues.
The circular reads: “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. In view of the formal agreement reached, NEC hereby suspends the ongoing nationwide strike action with immediate effect.”
The NEC also assured members that no nurse — including interns and locum staff — would be victimised for participating in the strike, while vowing to monitor the government’s compliance with the agreed timelines.
The association commended members for their solidarity and reaffirmed its commitment to defending the welfare, dignity, and professional rights of all nurses and midwives in Nigeria.
