The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has commenced a seven-day warning strike beginning midnight Tuesday, July 29, over the federal government’s failure to meet longstanding demands.
The strike follows the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued on July 14, in response to a circular from the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC) that suspended recently approved — but controversial — health sector allowances.
In a statement issued Tuesday, NANNM directed its members across the country to withdraw their services for the next seven days.
Key Demands
The association’s demands include:
Gazetting of the Nurses’ Scheme of Service approved by the National Council on Establishment (NCE) since 2016
Implementation of the 2012 National Industrial Court judgment in favour of nurses
Upward review of professional allowances for nurses and midwives
Mass recruitment of nursing personnel
Improved healthcare infrastructure
NANNM is also calling for structural and institutional reforms, such as:
Creation of a Department of Nursing within the Federal Ministry of Health
Inclusion of nurses in top-level policy and decision-making bodies
Fair representation on governing boards of federal health institutions
Centralised posting of intern nurses through a national pool
Granting consultancy status to qualified nurses and midwives
Potential Impact
The strike is expected to severely disrupt healthcare delivery nationwide, as nurses and midwives constitute approximately 60% of Nigeria’s healthcare workforce.
Healthcare stakeholders have expressed concern over the likely impact on patient care, especially in public hospitals and rural clinics, where nurses are often the primary providers of care.
