Nigerian nurses and midwives have called off a seven-day nationwide warning strike following successful negotiations with the federal government. The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) announced the suspension on Saturday, August 2, after its National Executive Council (NEC) reviewed terms of a new agreement with government officials. The decision marks a tentative resolution to demands over working conditions, pay, and professional rights in one of Africa’s largest healthcare systems.
The strike’s suspension came after high-level talks between NANNM leaders and federal ministers on August 1, including the Ministers of Health and Labour. A formal memorandum of understanding (MoU) outlining a “time-bound implementation framework” to address the union’s nine undisclosed core demands paved the way for the truce. In a statement released to journalists in Abuja, NANNM’s National President Haruna Mamman and Secretary Dr. T.A. Shettima confirmed the resolution, emphasizing that the NEC had “extensively reviewed” government commitments before halting the industrial action.
Union leaders underscored cautious optimism, stating they would closely monitor compliance with the agreed-upon timelines. The NEC also instructed regional branches to mobilize members for an immediate return to work while safeguarding against retaliation. “No member, including interns and temporary staff, shall face victimization for participating in the strike,” the statement clarified. The association further praised nurses for their unity during the work stoppage, reaffirming its dedication to protecting their welfare, dignity, and labor rights.
While specifics of the demands remain undisclosed, the agreement signals a willingness by authorities to engage with frontline healthcare workers amid systemic challenges. Nigeria’s health sector has faced recurrent strikes over inadequate funding, staffing shortages, and safety concerns, with medical professionals often citing burnout and migration to foreign health systems. The paused strike—a common tactic in Nigeria’s labor landscape—highlights persistent tensions between public sector unions and the government, even as both sides seek to avoid prolonged disruptions to essential services.
The resolution now shifts focus to the government’s follow-through on the MoU, which NANNM’s leadership has pledged to track “vigilantly.” For now, the suspension offers temporary relief to patients and hospitals, though the situation remains fluid. The outcome could set a precedent for other healthcare unions navigating similar grievances in Nigeria and beyond.
