Nigerian Nurses Call Off Strike After Reaching Agreement with Government
Public hospital services in Nigeria are set to return to normal after the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) announced the suspension of its seven-day warning strike. The industrial action, which disrupted healthcare services across the country, was halted on Saturday following a breakthrough in negotiations with the federal government.
In a statement released over the weekend, the NANNM confirmed that the strike was called off after both parties reached an agreement addressing the nurses’ longstanding demands. According to the union, the government has provided “clear timelines” for the implementation of commitments outlined in a newly signed memorandum of understanding (MoU).
“The federal government has shown commitment to resolving the issues raised by the union,” the NANNM noted. “Based on this, the National Executive Council has resolved to suspend the ongoing warning strike across the country.”
The strike, which began as a response to grievances over poor working conditions, unpaid allowances, and delayed promotions, had severely affected medical care in public hospitals, with many wards operating at reduced capacity.
Union leaders emphasized that while the strike is being suspended, it does not signify the end of their advocacy. They warned that they will continue to closely monitor the government’s actions to ensure that the agreed measures are fully implemented within the stipulated timeframes.
“We are not backing down from our commitment to improve the welfare of nurses and midwives,” the statement continued. “If the government fails to meet the agreed timelines, we reserve the right to resume industrial action.”
The temporary resolution marks a significant development in the ongoing push by healthcare workers in Nigeria for better remuneration and working conditions. The suspension of the strike comes as a relief to millions of Nigerians who rely on public hospitals for essential health services.
