By Toheeb Omotayo
The Federal Government has pledged to gazette the long-awaited Nurses’ Scheme of Service within four weeks as part of efforts to address the demands of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).
This resolution was reached during a crucial conciliation meeting convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment on Friday, with the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, in attendance. The meeting followed a seven-day warning strike declared by nurses and midwives nationwide.
One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the Federal Government’s directive to the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria to develop a framework for the central placement of graduate nurses for internship. This, according to the agreement, is aimed at ensuring equal opportunity and reducing concentration in cities like Abuja and Lagos.
The gazetting of the Nurses’ Scheme of Service, originally approved in 2016 by the National Council on Establishments in Minna, will formally define the career structure, qualifications, job descriptions, and progression pathways for nurses in Nigeria’s public service.
The MoU signed at the meeting was endorsed by NANNM President Haruna Mamman, General Secretary T.A. Shettima, and key officials from the Federal Ministries of Health and Labour. The agreement was made public on Sunday, confirming the government’s commitment to fulfilling the demands raised by the union.
Part of the agreement also included a referral to the Ministry of Justice to ensure compliance with the National Industrial Court judgment mandating the creation of a Department of Nursing within the Federal Ministry of Health.
On the issue of welfare and allowances, the union demanded an upward review of nurses’ shift duty allowance to 30% consolidated, N300,000 as annual uniform allowance, and 35% teaching allowance for nurses engaged in academic roles. Other requests included retention, call duty, and burnout allowances.
In response, the Ministry of Health committed to discussing the allowance proposals with key government stakeholders, including the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, Budget Office, and the Office of the Head of Civil Service, with a view to reaching an actionable plan within two weeks.
The Federal Government also promised fair representation of nurses in the governing boards of tertiary health institutions across the country. The Ministry of Health has reportedly already sent out communication to this effect, assuring equity in appointments.
On the demand for the recognition of Nursing and Midwifery consultancy roles, the government stated that all professional responsibilities in patient care must be clearly defined. Internal consultations with relevant professional groups will be led by the Health Ministry to resolve the issue.
Further, the Ministry assured that the Governing Board of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria will be constituted as soon as possible to strengthen institutional oversight and regulatory functions.
The government also disclosed that it had granted waivers for the employment of over 14,000 health workers in 2024, of which nurses constituted about 60%. Preparations have already commenced for the 2025 recruitment cycle, signaling sustained efforts to address manpower shortages in the health sector.
