The Federal Government has appealed to the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) to call off its planned seven-day warning strike scheduled to begin Wednesday night. Minister of Labour and Employment Muhammad Dingyadi urged the union leadership to opt for dialogue rather than industrial action.
At a meeting held in Abuja, Dingyadi emphasized that strike action is not the ideal mechanism for resolving welfare disputes. He announced that talks between the Federal Ministry of Health and NANNM will continue on Friday in hopes of reaching a peaceful resolution.
Nurses across federal health institutions—including teaching hospitals like UCH Ibadan and FMC Abeokuta—have begun striking in protest over poor welfare conditions. Among their demands: improved shift and uniform allowances, a dedicated nursing department in the federal health ministry, and better staffing and compensation.
Strikers have reported that patients are being discharged or referred to private hospitals due to staffing shortages, placing immense pressure on families and emergency services. Doctors have been left to fill the gap, with no skeletal nursing services in place.
NANNM leadership has made it clear that the strike reflects grassroots frustration—not merely leadership decisions—and they are prepared to bear any “no work, no pay” policies until their demands are met.
