Nigerian Government Appeals to Nurses and Midwives to End Strike Talks

Strategic Insights -

The Nigerian Government has appealed to Nurses and Midwives to shelve their planned industrial action and return to the negotiation table. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Dingyadi, made the call during a meeting with the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM). Despite the appeal, health workers proceeded with their threat to commence a warning strike on Wednesday, following the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued on 14 July 2025.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Nigerian Government has appealed to Nurses and Midwives to end their planned strike and return to the negotiation table, with discussions set to continue on Friday at the Ministry of Health.
  • The demands of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) include an upward review of shift allowances, adjustment of uniform allowance, implementation of a separate salary structure for nurses, increased core duty allowance, mass employment of nurses, and creation of a dedicated nursing department within the Federal Ministry of Health.
  • The association has stated that the strike was not initiated by the leadership but by members due to widespread frustration among members due to long-standing neglect, including decades of poor conditions and lack of provision of gloves or equipment.
  • Health workers have proceeded with their threat to commence a warning strike, expected to end on Tuesday, 5 August 2025, and may issue a fresh 21-day notice to the government if no positive response is received.
  • The union said it would be compelled to commence an indefinite strike if no positive response is received from the government.

Statistics:

  • 15-day ultimatum issued by the association on 14 July 2025
  • 7-day warning strike expected to end on Tuesday, 5 August 2025
  • 21-day notice to be issued by the association if no positive response is received from the government