The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Federal Health Institutions (NANNM-FHI), has rejected a recent circular issued by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC), describing it as unfair and dismissive of nurses’ contributions to the health sector.

At an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Thursday, the association said the circular—SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646, dated 27 June and titled “Review of Allowances for Medical/Dental Officers in the Federal Public Service”—excluded nurses from revised allowances and failed to acknowledge their role in Nigeria’s healthcare workforce.

According to NANNM-FHI President, Morakinyo-Olajide Rilwan, nurses account for between 60 and 70 percent of personnel in federal health institutions but were not consulted before the circular was released. He noted that the document neglected key allowances such as shift, uniform, specialist, call duty, and retention benefits.

“Nurses run intensive shifts and often spend long hours attending to patients. Yet, the current shift allowance remains at 8.5 percent of salary despite a 2009 circular approving 30 percent of basic salary,” Rilwan said.

He added that uniform allowances are insufficient, despite the requirement for nurses to change clothing frequently due to the nature of their work.

“Uniforms are essential, not optional. At a minimum, we need three uniforms a week,” he noted.

The association also criticised the selective application of the specialist allowance, arguing that nurses with advanced qualifications should receive equal recognition alongside other healthcare specialists.

Rilwan expressed concern over the increasing migration of trained Nigerian nurses, attributing the trend to poor welfare and limited career development.

“Nigeria has the nurses, but we are losing them due to poor welfare and policy neglect,” he said.

The group also called for the reconstitution of the Governing Board of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and the inclusion of nurses in the boards of Federal Health Institutions. Rilwan criticised the removal of nurse educators on Grade Levels 7 and 8 from clinical duties, despite their role in training student nurses.

“The same circular states that trainers should be paid. Yet, those training others are being sidelined,” he said.
NANNM-FHI also demanded structured internship placements for university-trained nurses to enable participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and proposed a centralised system to ensure standardisation.

Additionally, the association called for the creation of a dedicated Department of Nursing within the Federal Ministry of Health.

Rilwan stated that although there is currently a Director of Nursing, there is no corresponding department to support policy implementation, training, or clinical practice.

He added that the association remains open to dialogue but warned that failure to address these issues could lead to industrial action