Nigerian Nurses Suspend Strike After Government Reaches Key Agreement

By Diafa Doubra

After seven days of disrupted health services, the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has officially suspended its nationwide warning strike following a crucial agreement with the Federal Government.

The strike, which began on July 29, was triggered by long-standing grievances over poor welfare, delayed salaries, and unfavourable working conditions. Nurses in federal hospitals across the country downed tools, demanding immediate action to address their concerns.

Following intense negotiations, both parties reached a resolution late Sunday evening. Government representatives promised to implement salary adjustments, ensure timely payment of arrears, improve hospital infrastructure, and begin urgent recruitment to reduce workload. The Ministry of Labour and Employment also assured nurses that no punitive measures would be taken against those who participated in the industrial action.

We are suspending the strike in good faith, but we are watching closely,” said NANNM President, Michael Nnachi, during a press briefing in Abuja. If these promises are not honoured within the agreed timeline, we will not hesitate to resume the strike.

Patients and healthcare workers have welcomed the resolution, with hospitals gradually returning to full operations. However, health analysts caution that failure to implement reforms could reignite tensions in the already strained health sector.

The development marks a critical test of the government’s commitment to addressing the recurring challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare workforce, which has suffered mass emigration and widespread discontent in recent years.