Nurses begin seven-day nationwide strike

Nurses under the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM-FHI) have commenced a nationwide strike over unresolved demands related to welfare, allowances, and working conditions.

The strike, which began at midnight on Tuesday, July 30, will last for seven days and involves a total withdrawal of services across federal and public health institutions nationwide.

The union said the action follows the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued on July 14 to the federal government and the Federal Ministry of Health. “Nurses nationwide have been asked to comply fully and stand in solidarity,” NANNM-FHI said in a statement on Monday.

The union stated that the strike would continue until August 5 and may be escalated if their demands are not addressed.

Key among the grievances is the rejection of a circular issued on 27 June by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC), which the union says failed to adequately address issues concerning allowances. NANNM is demanding adjustments to shift, call duty, and retention allowances.

In Oyo State, the union’s chapter has declared its readiness to participate. In a statement, the secretary of NANNM in the state, Emmanuel Aina, confirmed the decision, stating that it was based on a resolution of the union’s National Executive Council and a directive from its national headquarters.

“I write to notify you that all nurses and midwives across all healthcare institutions, federal, state, and local government, are directed to embark on a seven-day warning strike,” Mr Aina said.

He added that a formal communication outlining the union’s eight-point demand had been forwarded to the relevant authorities.

According to him, these demands include the implementation of the new minimum wage for nurses at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital in Ogbomosho, payment of uniform allowances in line with public service rules, mass recruitment of nurses to address shortages, and the implementation of a 25 per cent CONHESS adjustment and improved hazard allowances for nurses working at the local government level.

Mr Aina said the strike is intended to highlight the urgency of improving the welfare of nurses and midwives, adding that the outcome will determine the next phase of the union’s action.