By Atoyebi Nike
The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has officially called off its nationwide warning strike, asking all members across the country to return to work immediately.
In a circular titled “Suspension of the Ongoing Nationwide Nurses’ Strike” and signed by the association’s National President Comrade Haruna Mamman and General Secretary T.A. Shettima, the union directed state chapters to mobilize for full resumption of services.
The strike, which began on Wednesday, was a seven-day warning protest over outstanding demands, including review of shift allowances, improved uniform allowance, and the creation of an independent salary structure tailored for nurses.
Other key requests included higher core duty allowances, massive recruitment of nurses, and the creation of a nursing department within the Federal Ministry of Health.
NANNM suspended the action following a virtual National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Saturday. The decision came after a high-level meeting on Friday involving the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Office of the Head of Service, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Office of the Accountant-General, and the National Salaries and Wages Commission.
The union said the NEC reviewed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) and accepted the government’s time-bound implementation plan for the nurses’ nine core demands.
“NEC recognizes the steps taken by the federal government and welcomes its commitment to clearly outlined timelines for resolving our issues,” the circular stated.
It stressed that no nurse, intern, or locum staff should face reprisals for taking part in the strike, urging state executives to protect their members from any form of punishment.
NANNM reaffirmed its readiness to closely monitor the implementation of the signed agreement and hold the government accountable.
The leadership expressed appreciation to members for their unity and resilience, vowing to continue the fight for improved welfare and professional recognition of nurses and midwives in Nigeria.
