The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has officially suspended its nationwide warning strike following a formal agreement with the Federal Government, Oduduwa News can confirm.
The suspension was announced in a circular jointly signed by the association’s National President, Haruna Mamman, and General Secretary, T.A. Shettima, after an emergency virtual meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) held on Saturday.
The strike, which began on Wednesday, was intended to push for urgent government action on key issues affecting nurses across the country. These included poor remuneration, critical staff shortages, unpaid allowances, and unsafe working conditions. It came shortly after a 15-day ultimatum given to the federal government expired.
It was gathered that the industrial action had significantly disrupted healthcare services across several parts of the country, including Lagos, compounding the impact of an ongoing doctors’ face-off with government over welfare-related matters.
According to the circular titled “Suspension of the Ongoing Nationwide Nurses’ Strike”, the NEC resolved to suspend the strike following a detailed review of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached during a meeting with key government agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Office of the Head of Service, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and others.
The statement noted, “NEC acknowledges the positive steps taken by the Federal Government in responding to the nine core demands of NANNM, particularly the commitment to clear timelines for implementation.”
It further stated that nurses across all states are to resume duties immediately, while reiterating that no nurse including interns and locum staff should face victimization for participating in the strike.
“The NEC appreciates the commitment and solidarity of all members throughout this action and reiterates that NANNM remains steadfast in defending the welfare, dignity, and professional rights of all nurses and midwives in Nigeria,” the statement added.