The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives has called off its nationwide warning strike after four days of industrial action.
Assistant Secretary-General of the association, Chidi Aligwe, confirmed the suspension in a brief statement on Saturday.
“The strike has been suspended. Nurses and midwives are to resume duty immediately,” he said.
The nurses had downed tools on Wednesday over several unmet demands, including better shift allowances, uniform adjustment, a dedicated salary structure, increased core duty pay, mass recruitment, and the creation of a nursing department under the Federal Ministry of Health.
Their action forced hospitals to run skeletal services across several states, with patients bearing the brunt.
The decision to suspend the strike followed a virtual meeting of the association’s National Executive Council late Friday, after discussions with key government agencies including the Federal Ministry of Health, the Office of the Head of Service, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the National Salaries and Wages Commission.
A circular signed by the association’s National President, Haruna Mamman, and General Secretary, T.A. Shettima, confirmed the decision.
“NEC acknowledges the positive steps taken by the Federal Government in responding to the nine core demands of NANNM, particularly the commitment to clear timelines for implementation,” the circular read.
It added that “in line with the principle of dialogue and good faith, NEC hereby suspends the ongoing nationwide strike action with immediate effect.”
The circular directed all state branches to mobilise members to return to duty and warned that no nurse, including interns or contract staff, must be punished for participating in the action.
NANNM also pledged to closely monitor the government’s compliance with the agreed timeline.
The association praised its members for their resolve, saying, “NANNM remains steadfast in defending the welfare, dignity and professional rights of all nurses and midwives in Nigeria.”
