Efforts by the Federal Government to prevent a nationwide strike by nurses and midwives have collapsed following the breakdown of crucial talks on Tuesday with the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM). The union announced that its members will commence a seven-day warning strike from 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
The meeting, held at the Ministry of Labour and Employment in Abuja and chaired by Minister Muhammad Dingyadi, ended in a deadlock. Key stakeholders present included officials from the Federal Ministry of Health, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Budget Office, and the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission.
However, despite what the union described as a “critical evaluation” of their long-standing demands, no tangible resolutions were reached. NANNM attributed the meeting’s failure to the absence of pivotal decision-makers, notably the Minister of Health and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
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Among the unresolved issues are pay disparity, acute staff shortages, inadequate hazard allowances, delayed promotions, and poor career progression pathways. The union stated that these concerns have persisted for years, undermining the morale and productivity of healthcare workers across the country.
With the strike expected to affect over 74 federal health institutions and hundreds of state and private facilities, patients may face widespread disruptions in healthcare services nationwide.
The Federal Government is yet to issue an official response as tension mounts in the healthcare sector. NANNM insists it remains open to meaningful dialogue, but warns that failure to act decisively may lead to a full-blown industrial action after the warning strike.
