Esther Salifu
The Federal Government has appealed to the striking health workers to call off the ongoing strike, stating that the contentious issues can be resolved through negotiations.
The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has refuted claim by the Federal Government that their ongoing seven-day warning strike has been suspended.
The union insisted that the strike, which began on July 30, 2025, will continue as planned, pending a review of the government’s proposals.
The body in a statement on Friday, by NANNM’s National Public Relations Officer, Omomo Tibiebi, clarified that the strike remains in effect despite the group meeting with the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate.
Tibiebi stated that the strike has not been suspended.
In his words, “earlier today, the executives met with the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate.
It was the minister who went to the press to announce that the strike had been called off. He wasn’t the one who called the strike in the first place, so he has no right to call off the strike.”
The union’s National Executive Council is scheduled to meet on Saturday to assess the Federal Government’s promises and determine the next course of action.
“There will be a National Executive Council meeting on Saturday, during which a decision will be made, and we will know, if what the Federal Government has promised is good enough for us to suspend the strike,” Tibiebi added.
According to the group, the nurses initiated the strike to press for longstanding demands, including an upward review of shift and uniform allowances.
“Other demand include the creation of a distinct salary structure for nurses, increased core duty allowances, mass recruitment of nurses, and the establishment of a Department of Nursing Services within the Federal Ministry of Health.”
Hospitals across the country continue to feel the impact of the strike, with patients facing disruptions in healthcare delivery. Overwhelmed by patient loads, the few available medical staff members are struggling to maintain basic operations. Many patients have been discharged due to the shortage of nurses, numerous hospital wards remain deserted, skeletal services are running in some areas, while others are completely shut down.
