Unmet Demands: Nurses Suspend Strike, Doctors May Down Tools August 17

The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has suspended its nationwide warning strike after the federal government agreed to address its longstanding demands.

However, the country’s healthcare system may face renewed disruption, as the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has threatened an indefinite nationwide strike beginning August 17, should the government fail to meet its own set of demands.

NANNM, in a circular issued following an emergency virtual meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) held on Saturday, stated that the decision to suspend the strike followed a review of the outcomes from a negotiation meeting with key government officials on Friday, August 1.

This meeting included the Ministers of Health and Labour and Employment, Muhammad Ali Pate and Maigari Dingyadi, respectively, as well as other key stakeholders. It resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with clear timelines for the implementation of nine core demands put forward by the union.

The suspended strike was aimed at pressing for the implementation of key issues such as the gazetting of the approved scheme of service for nurses, enforcement of a 2012 National Industrial Court judgment, an upward review of allowances, recruitment of more nurses, and improved healthcare infrastructure.
Other demands include the creation of a Department of Nursing at the Federal Ministry of Health, inclusion of nurses in policy-making bodies, fair representation on governing boards, centralized posting of intern nurses, and recognition of consultancy status for qualified nurses and midwives.

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“After an extensive review of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) and the agreed time-bound implementation framework, the NEC resolved as follows: ‘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.

‘In view of the formal agreement reached and in line with the principle of dialogue and good faith, NEC hereby suspends the ongoing nationwide strike action immediately.

‘NEC has directed the national leadership to continue monitoring the implementation of the signed MoU and track the government’s compliance with the agreed-upon timelines. State Councils are directed to mobilise members for the immediate resumption of duty,’” the circular read.

While the nurses return to work, the NMA’s 21-day ultimatum to the federal government, issued on July 26 and effective July 27, will expire on August 16, potentially leading to a total and indefinite strike if the doctors’ grievances are not addressed. This ultimatum was issued at the end of an Emergency Delegates Meeting (EDM) of the NMA held on July 26 in Abuja in response to growing dissatisfaction over the government’s handling of issues affecting doctors.

The NMA, in a communiqué signed by its President, Prof. Bala Audu, and Secretary-General, Dr. Jamin Egbo, condemned the non-payment of seven months’ salary arrears under the 25/35 percent CONMESS adjustment, the failure to implement previously signed Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), and the suspension rather than withdrawal of a recent circular by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC).

The doctors also criticized the government’s slow response to 19 critical demands previously submitted and lamented the worsening working conditions for medical professionals in the country, a factor it warned could accelerate the ongoing brain drain in the health sector. The NMA noted that these actions and inactions of the government at all levels have the potential to increase brain drain and worsen the already subpar health indices in the country.

Despite its frustrations, the association expressed hope that the federal government would act within the ultimatum period to avert a full-blown crisis in the already strained healthcare system.

While the reasons behind these frequent strikes by healthcare workers may be legitimate—often rooted in years of neglect, unpaid salaries, poor working conditions, and unmet agreements—the burden inevitably falls on the most vulnerable members of society. When public hospitals shut down or operate at minimal capacity due to industrial actions, access to essential and even life-saving healthcare services becomes severely restricted.