Nurses have agreed to suspend strike – Minister Pate

The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has officially called off its warning strike following agreements reached with the Federal Government.

The Minister of Health, Professor Ali Pate, disclosed the development to journalists on Friday after a closed-door meeting with the union’s leadership in Abuja.

Although leaders of the association declined to speak after the meeting, Pate confirmed that the strike had been suspended after fruitful discussions with the nurses’ representatives.

The industrial action, which began on July 29, 2025, stemmed from the Federal Government’s failure to respond to a 15-day ultimatum issued by the union on July 14. The strike, which disrupted operations in public health institutions nationwide, was initially scheduled to end on August 5.

The nurses had demanded improved welfare, fair allowances, and better working conditions, accusing the government of prolonged negligence and poor engagement.

National Chairman of the union, Morakinyo Rilwan, had earlier voiced frustration over the government’s silence and outlined key demands, including an upward review of shift and uniform allowances, a separate salary structure for nurses, increased core duty allowance, mass recruitment, and the creation of a dedicated nursing department in the Federal Ministry of Health.

Rilwan emphasized that the strike action was not a unilateral decision but a collective call from nurses across the country, driven by years of dissatisfaction.

With the strike now suspended, attention turns to the full implementation of the agreements reached to avoid future disruptions in Nigeria’s health sector.