The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM)’s industrial action has been called off, according to Health Minister Ali Pate.
Speaking to Newsmen following a closed-door meeting on Friday, Pate stated that the decision was made in accordance with agreements established with the nurses association’s leadership.
However, union leaders declined to comment on the topic during the closed-door meeting on Friday afternoon.
The association’s nurses and midwives went on strike on July 29, 2025, citing the government’s inability to respond significantly to its 15-day ultimatum given on July 14, 2025.
The warning strike involving nurses in public health institutions across the country was expected to continue till August 5, 2025.
The strike stemmed from longstanding concerns about nurses’ welfare and poor working conditions, and the government’s reluctance to address their concerns.
The union had demanded improved welfare, fair allowances, and better working conditions for nurses across federal health institutions.
The union’s National Chairman, Morakinyo Rilwan, had stated that the Federal Government failed to engage meaningfully with the association during the window provided.
“As far as we are concerned, there has been no communication from the government to this moment. That is why we are saying the strike is going on, and nothing is stopping it.
“Even if the government calls today or tomorrow, it won’t stop the strike. They had enough time,” Rilwan had noted.
The nurses’ demands include the upward review of shift allowance, adjustment of uniform allowance, implementation of a separate salary structure for nurses, increased core duty allowance, mass employment of nurses, and the creation of a dedicated nursing department in the Federal Ministry of Health.
Rilwan stressed that the decision to down tools was not unilaterally taken by the union’s leadership, but driven by a groundswell of frustration among members over long-standing neglect.
