After four tense days of halted medical services, the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has officially suspended its warning strike following a breakthrough with the Federal Government.
The announcement came from NANNM National President, Haruna Mamman, during a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday.
The decision to suspend the strike was reached during an emergency virtual session of the union’s National Executive Council, where members deliberated on a newly signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government.
According to Mamman, the Federal Government has committed to a time-sensitive implementation of all nine core demands raised by the association—demands that include the gazetting of the nurses’ scheme of service, improved remuneration, and the creation of a dedicated department within the Federal Ministry of Health.
“The government has signed on to our terms,” Mamman told reporters. “We will hold them to their word, but for now, we are returning to our duty posts in good faith.”
The strike, which began on July 29, followed a 15-day ultimatum issued on July 14.
The nurses said their walkout was prompted by years of neglect, underpayment, and lack of recognition of their specialised roles.
The deadlock began to thaw on Friday when the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, led high-level negotiations with NANNM officials.
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Following the meeting, Pate had preemptively announced that the strike was being called off, though official confirmation from the union only came on Saturday.
Morakinyo-Olajide Rilwan, Chairman of NANNM’s Federal Health Institutions Sector, previously outlined the association’s key demands, which also included an upward review of allowances and the hiring of more nurses to ease the burden on overstretched medical staff.
While the government’s commitment has temporarily averted a prolonged disruption, public hospitals across the country have already felt the sting.
The four-day strike significantly slowed down operations, leaving thousands of patients stranded or facing long delays for care.
Minister of Labour, Muhammadu Dingyadi, earlier appealed to the nurses to end the strike, stating that industrial actions should be a last resort in resolving disputes.
With the strike now over, attention turns to the Federal Government’s next moves. NANNM leadership has made it clear: implementation must match the promises.