James Uche
The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) under the Federal Health Institutions (FHI) sector is expected to meet today, Saturday, to review the promises made by the Federal Government amid the ongoing nationwide strike.
Contrary to media reports suggesting a suspension of the strike, the union clarified that the industrial action, which began on Wednesday, remains in full effect.
Speaking with newsmen, the National Public Relations Officer of NANNM-FHI, Omomo Tibiebi, debunked the claim that the strike had been called off. He stressed that although the union’s leadership met with the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, no agreement has been reached to end the strike.
“The strike has not been suspended,” Tibiebi said. “Yes, we met with the minister earlier today (Friday), but he does not have the authority to call off a strike he didn’t initiate.”
Nurses embarked on the seven-day warning strike to press for several longstanding demands, including an upward review of shift allowance, adjustment of uniform allowance, a separate salary structure for nurses, an increase in core duty allowance, mass recruitment of nurses, and the establishment of a dedicated nursing department within the Federal Ministry of Health.
Tibiebi noted that the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) will convene today to evaluate the government’s offer and determine the next course of action.
“There will be a National Executive Council meeting today (Saturday), and that’s when a decision will be made. We’ll assess whether what the Federal Government proposed is substantial enough to suspend the strike,” he stated.
In the meantime, the strike’s impact continues to ripple across the country’s healthcare system. Many hospitals are struggling to function, with overburdened staff unable to manage patient loads. Some wards have shut down completely, others are running skeletal services, and patients are being discharged prematurely due to the shortage of nursing personnel.
The ongoing action highlights broader systemic challenges in Nigeria’s healthcare workforce, particularly the persistent migration of trained health professionals in search of better working conditions abroad.
As the health crisis deepens, public attention now turns to today’s crucial meeting, which could determine whether relief is on the horizon for Nigeria’s ailing health institutions.