Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Pate, on Friday held closed-door talks with leaders of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) and representatives from the Ministry of Labour as part of ongoing efforts to end a nationwide warning strike.
The meeting comes amid an industrial action that began on July 29, 2025, and is scheduled to run until August 5, following the government’s failure to meet the union’s demands after a 15-day ultimatum issued on July 14.
The strike has affected public health institutions across the country, with nurses demanding improved welfare, enhanced allowances, and better working conditions.
“We are saying the strike is going on and nothing is stopping it,” said NANNM National Chairman Morakinyo Rilwan. “Even if the government calls today or tomorrow, it won’t stop the strike. They had enough time.”
The union’s demands include an upward review of shift and uniform allowances, a dedicated salary structure for nurses, increased core duty allowances, mass recruitment of nurses, and the creation of a Nursing Services Department within the Federal Ministry of Health.
Rilwan emphasized that the decision to strike reflected broad dissatisfaction among members, not just the union’s leadership. “Our members are frustrated. This action is the result of long-standing neglect,” he said.
Talks between the government and the union are expected to continue as health authorities seek to resolve the dispute and restore normal operations in public hospitals.
