Nurses to Embark on 7-Day Nationwide Warning Strike Over ‘Unmet Demands’
The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has announced a seven-day nationwide warning strike beginning at midnight on July 29, citing the federal government’s failure to address their long-standing demands.
This follows the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued on July 14, during which the association warned of industrial action if their grievances remained unresolved.
Speaking with TheCable on Monday, Jama Medan, NANNM chairman in the federal capital territory, said:
“We will embark on a seven-day warning strike starting midnight on July 29. After the strike, if the federal government still does not respond to us, we will then decide the next line of action.”
The association’s demands include the gazetting of the nurses’ scheme of service approved by the NCE in 2016 in Minna, implementation of a 2012 judgment by the National Industrial Arbitration Court (NIC), upward review of professional allowances, and the employment of more nursing personnel. They also demand adequate provision of equipment in health facilities.
Other key issues include the creation of a Department of Nursing in the Federal Ministry of Health, inclusion of nurses in policy-making bodies, fair representation on health boards, centralised internship postings, and recognition of consultancy roles for nurses.
The association also rejected a recent circular on reviewed health worker allowances, describing it as “grossly inadequate and discriminatory.”
On social media, NANNM advised patients to prepare:
“All government-owned health facilities across the nation will be affected. The federal government has refused to improve the healthcare sector by addressing our demand.”
