Nurses in Kaduna State have warned of a possible statewide strike because authorities have repeatedly failed to conduct promotion exercises. The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) Kaduna State Council expressed frustration at the Ministry of Health and its parastatals for deliberately neglecting nurses’ career progression.
Comrade Nurse Ishaku Yakubu, chairman of the NANNM Kaduna State Council, said the lack of promotions has damaged morale and productivity within the health system. He declared that the union will no longer tolerate delays that undermine the dignity and professional growth of nurses. If the issue is not resolved, the union plans to declare an industrial dispute against the state Ministry of Health and any parastatals that refuse to carry out scheduled promotion exercises.
The promotion dispute arises amid an ongoing industrial action at the National Ear Care Centre in Kaduna, where nurses have been on strike for two weeks over professional designation and salary placement. The strike has seen full compliance, and Yakubu warned that continued inaction could trigger a broader shutdown of health facilities across the state.
While acknowledging achievements in 2025—such as the approval and implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) 2024, which improved nurses’ welfare—Yakubu stressed that salary increases alone are insufficient. Promotions are a statutory right and a crucial element of professional motivation. He accused some institutions of trying to undermine the nursing profession and relegating nurses to subservient roles.
The potential strike underscores the ongoing challenges faced by nurses in Kaduna State, who are demanding fair treatment and opportunities for career advancement. With the union prepared to take further action, the situation could expand into a wider industrial dispute, potentially affecting healthcare services throughout the state. The NANNM’s warning serves as a call to authorities to address nurses’ concerns and prioritize their professional growth and development.
Comments are closed for this story.