The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has officially suspended its nationwide warning strike and directed all members across the country to resume work with immediate effect.
Chidi Aligwe, Assistant Secretary-General of NANNM, confirmed the development on Saturday following a virtual meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC). The strike, which began over unmet demands, was initially scheduled to last until Tuesday, August 5.
The suspension comes a day after the union refuted earlier claims by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, who had announced that the strike had been called off.
In a circular signed by NANNM’s National President, Haruna Mamman, and General Secretary, T.A. Shettima, the NEC said it reached the decision after reviewing the outcome of recent negotiations with the Federal Government.
The statement, titled “Suspension of the Ongoing Nationwide Nurses’ Strike”, acknowledged that the government had shown commitment toward meeting the union’s nine key demands and had agreed to a clear implementation timeline.
“In view of the formal agreement reached, and in line with the principles of dialogue and good faith, the NEC hereby suspends the ongoing nationwide strike action with immediate effect,” the circular stated.
The union emphasized that no nurse—including interns and locum staff—should be punished or victimized for participating in the industrial action.
Among the core issues raised by the nurses were:
- Review of shift duty and uniform allowances
- Creation of a dedicated salary structure for nurses
- Increase in core duty allowances
- Mass recruitment of nurses across the country
- Establishment of a dedicated Nursing Services Department in the Federal Ministry of Health
The union had previously met with top officials from several federal agencies, including the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Office of the Head of Civil Service, the National Salaries and Wages Commission, and the Accountant-General’s office, to press home their demands.
The NEC stated that it will continue to monitor the government’s adherence to the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and ensure compliance with the agreed timelines.
All state chapters of the union have been instructed to mobilize members for an immediate return to duty.
