The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Federal Health Institutions Sector, will hold a crucial meeting today to decide whether to suspend its ongoing nationwide warning strike following new proposals from the Federal Government.
The association clarified that, despite reports to the contrary, the strike has not been suspended. The seven-day warning action, which began on Wednesday, remains in effect.
According to the union’s National Public Relations Officer, Omomo Tibiebi, although the association’s executives met with the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, the outcome of that meeting does not automatically translate to a suspension of the strike.
“The minister cannot call off a strike he didn’t declare,” Tibiebi said. “We had a meeting with him earlier today, but the strike is still ongoing. The final decision on the government’s promises will be made at our National Executive Council meeting on Saturday.”
The nurses are pressing for several improvements, including an upward review of shift and uniform allowances, a separate salary structure, increased core duty allowances, large-scale recruitment of nurses, and the establishment of a nursing department within the Federal Ministry of Health.
Meanwhile, hospitals across the country are experiencing significant disruptions. Many wards remain empty, with some offering only limited services while others have shut down entirely. Patients are being discharged or turned away, and the few remaining medical staff are overwhelmed.
The outcome of today’s meeting will determine whether the nurses will return to work or continue their industrial action until their demands are met.You
