The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has suspended its nationwide warning strike.
This was confirmed to Naijaonpoint on Saturday by NANNM’s Assistant Secretary-General, Chidi Aligwe.
On Wednesday, nurses and midwives across the country commenced a seven-day warning strike to press home a range of longstanding demands. These included “an upward review of shift allowance, adjustment of uniform allowance, a separate salary structure for nurses, an increase in core duty allowance, mass recruitment of nurses, and the establishment of a nursing department in the Federal Ministry of Health,” among others.
The strike was called off on Saturday following a virtual meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC).
On Friday, NANNM had held talks with representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Office of the Accountant General, the National Salaries and Wages Commission, and other key stakeholders in an effort to resolve the issues raised.
Aligwe stated, “The strike has been suspended. Nurses and midwives are to resume duty immediately.”
A circular titled “Suspension of the Ongoing Nationwide Nurses’ Strike” and signed by NANNM’s National President, Haruna Mamman, and General Secretary, T.A. Shettima, also confirmed the decision.
The circular stated that NEC reached the resolution after “an extensive review of the Memorandum of Understanding and the agreed time-bound implementation framework.”
It further read, “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 with immediate effect.”
The statement also noted that NEC had mandated the national leadership to continue “monitoring the implementation of the signed MoU and track the government’s compliance with the agreed timelines.”
It added, “State councils are directed to mobilise members for the immediate resumption of duty. NEC resolved that no member of NANNM, including interns and locum nurses, should be victimised for participating in the nationwide strike.”
“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.”