Nurses have suspended warning strike, says Health Minister
By Jeffrey Agbo
The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives has suspended its nationwide warning strike, according to the Minister of Health, Ali Pate.
Pate made the announcement on Friday while addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting held in Abuja.
He explained that the association decided to call off the industrial action following agreements reached with the Federal Government.
However, union leaders declined to speak to the press after the meeting.
The association had launched a warning strike on July 29, citing unmet demands such as improved welfare packages, fair allowances, and better working conditions across federal health facilities. The strike, which disrupted services at public hospitals nationwide, was initially scheduled to continue until August 5.
Before the strike commenced, the union’s National Chairman, Morakinyo Rilwan, had expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s lack of engagement despite a 15-day ultimatum issued on July 14.
“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 said.
The union is demanding a review of shift and uniform allowances, a dedicated salary structure for nurses, an increase in core duty allowance, the mass recruitment of nurses, and the establishment of a nursing department within the Federal Ministry of Health.
Rilwan also stressed that the strike was a result of years of accumulated frustration among nurses and midwives due to prolonged government neglect.
