The Federal Government has urged nurses to end their ongoing strike, asserting that the issues can be resolved through negotiations. However, the nurses have stated they will not suspend the strike based on promises alone.
The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives – Federal Health Institutions Sector (NANNM-FHI) is currently in the second day of a seven-day warning strike. Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof. Alli Pate, announced that meetings with nurse and doctor leaders are planned to address the concerns that led to the strike.
A recent meeting with the Minister of Labour, Muhammadu Dingyadi, ended in a deadlock due to the absence of key stakeholders, including the Minister of Health. NANNM-FHI Chairman, Comrade Morakinyo-Olajide Rilwan, emphasized that mere promises are insufficient to halt the strike and stressed the need for concrete commitments from the government.
The nurses’ demands include the gazetting of their scheme of service, an increase in allowances, better working conditions, and improved recruitment across federal health institutions. They have raised concerns about stagnant uniform allowances and inadequate working conditions, asserting that previous promises from the government have not been fulfilled.
Rilwan warned that if their 12-point demands are not met by the end of the strike, they would issue another 21-day ultimatum before considering an indefinite strike.
