The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives – Federal Health Institutions (NANNM-FHI) has suspended its seven-day warning strike following negotiations with the Federal Government. The industrial action, which began last week, saw nurses in federal hospitals across the country withdraw their services to protest longstanding issues ranging from poor remuneration to policy exclusion and lack of welfare structures.
The suspension was announced on August 1 after the association engaged in discussions with the Ministry of Health and other government representatives who promised to address several of the union’s concerns. While the strike has ended for now, the nurses made it clear that the suspension is conditional and that a full strike may resume if the government fails to act within a reasonable timeframe.
The union’s grievances included 12 key demands. Among them were calls for increased shift allowances, a review of the ₦20,000 uniform allowance, improved retention incentives, proper internship placement for nurses, and inclusion in health policy decisions. Notably, union leaders emphasised that most of the demands do not require extra government funding but rather policy implementation and administrative attention.
One of the catalysts for the strike was the controversial salary circular released by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), which was perceived to be unfavourable to nurses. The circular has since been withdrawn following pressure from the health sector unions and intervention by the Federal Government.
The Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, acknowledged the nurses’ concerns and expressed a commitment to resolving the issues. He described the strike as unfortunate but reiterated the government’s willingness to work with healthcare workers to improve the system. He also emphasised President Tinubu’s commitment to reducing strikes in the health sector to the barest minimum and improving working conditions for frontline workers.
Despite the government’s assurances, many within the union remain skeptical. NANNM-FHI stated that the strike suspension does not indicate satisfaction but rather a show of good faith. They expect the government to back up its words with concrete actions, such as signed agreements and official memoranda that outline implementation timelines.
Throughout the strike, the impact on federal health institutions was significant, with patients reporting delays in care and skeletal services in some hospitals. The warning strike brought to light the underlying pressures facing Nigeria’s health system, particularly the ongoing migration of nurses and other health professionals seeking better conditions abroad. Over 42,000 nurses are reported to have left the country in the last three years alone, exacerbating the human resource challenges in the sector.
The nurses’ industrial action came just months after the government began discussing reforms in the public healthcare system. The demand for better welfare and recognition is part of a broader outcry from health workers who feel marginalised and overworked. While other professional groups in the health sector have had their concerns addressed more swiftly, nurses say their profession continues to be sidelined in crucial policy and funding conversations.
The strike also drew attention from the National Assembly, with members of the House of Representatives calling for restraint and encouraging dialogue. In a joint statement, the lawmakers urged the nurses to consider the broader implications of their absence in hospitals while commending them for their service during difficult times, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As services gradually resume in federal hospitals, the focus now shifts to whether the government will honour its promises. The union has made it clear that it will not hesitate to resume the strike if no tangible steps are taken. They are demanding formal documentation of government commitments to prevent the usual pattern of verbal assurances that are never followed through.
While the public may breathe a temporary sigh of relief, the situation remains fragile. The suspended strike served not just as a protest but as a warning. Nigerian nurses are no longer content to carry the weight of a broken system in silence. They are demanding recognition, equity, and the conditions needed to provide safe and dignified care not only for themselves but for the patients they serve.
If this warning is ignored, the next action might not just be a warning strike but a full-blown shutdown of Nigeria’s federal healthcare system. For now, however, nurses have returned to work, but they do so with eyes wide open and expectations firmly in place.
