Ali Pate, the Minister of Health, announced the cancellation of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives’ (NANNM) planned strike. Following a meeting held behind closed doors on Friday, Pate told reporters that the decision was made in accordance with agreements made with the nurses association’s leadership. But following the Friday afternoon discussion behind closed doors, union leaders refused to comment on the issue.
Following what the union saw as the government’s inability to adequately address its 15-day ultimatum given on July 14, 2025, nurses and midwives affiliated with the organization began a warning strike on July 29, 2025.
It was anticipated that the nationwide warning strike by nurses working in public health facilities would last until August 5, 2025. Longstanding worries about the wellbeing of nurses and unfavorable working conditions, as well as the government’s unwillingness to address these issues, were the root cause of the strike.
The union has called for better working conditions, equitable pay, and welfare for nurses in all federal health facilities. According to Morakinyo Rilwan, the union’s national chairman, the federal government did not interact with the organization in a significant way within the allotted time.
“As far as we are concerned, there has been no communication from the government to this moment. “That is why we are saying the strike is going on, and nothing is stopping it. Rilwan had observed.
“Even if the government calls today or tomorrow, it won’t stop the strike, they had enough time.” A distinct compensation structure for nurses, a rise in core duty allowance, a review of shift allowance, a change to uniform allowance, mass hiring of nurses, and the establishment of a nursing department under the Federal Ministry of Health are among the demands made by the nurses.
Rilwan emphasized that the union’s leadership did not decide to down tools on its own; rather, it was prompted by a wave of member resentment following years of disregard.
