Nurses’ union suspends nationwide strike after government engagement

The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has suspended its nationwide warning strike, which began on Wednesday, following a virtual meeting of its national executive council (NEC) on Saturday.

The strike, initially planned for seven days, was launched to press for several demands, including an upward review of shift and uniform allowances, a separate salary structure for nurses, increased core duty allowances, mass recruitment, and the establishment of a nursing department within the federal ministry of health.

On Friday, NANNM representatives met with key government agencies, including the federal ministry of health and social welfare, the office of the head of service, the ministry of labour and employment, the office of the accountant general, and the national salaries and wages commission, to discuss the association’s demands.

Following these engagements, the NEC reviewed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) and the agreed time-bound implementation framework, acknowledging positive steps taken by the federal government.

In a circular signed by Haruna Mamman, NANNM’s national president, and T.A. Shettima, general secretary, the union confirmed the suspension of the strike and called for an immediate resumption of duties.

“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,” the statement reads.

“In view of the formal agreement reached, and in line with the principle of dialogue and good faith, NEC hereby suspends the ongoing nationwide strike action with immediate effect.”

The association also assured that no member, including interns and locum nurses, would face victimisation for participating in the strike.

NEC further directed state councils to mobilise members for the immediate resumption of work and pledged to continue monitoring the government’s compliance with the MoU.

Jama Medan, the FCT NANNM chairman, told TheCable that though the strike has been called off and that discussions continue with the government.

He said the union will have another meeting with the minister of health and the ministry of labour on Wednesday.