The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has suspended the nationwide strike it commenced on July 29, 2025, following successful negotiations with the federal government.
Minister of Health, Ali Pate, announced the development while addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting with the union's leadership on Friday. According to the minister, the decision to call off the industrial action was based on agreements reached during the negotiations.
"We have had productive discussions with the leadership of NANNM, and I'm pleased to announce that they have agreed to suspend the ongoing strike," Pate stated. However, representatives of the nursing association declined to comment on the specifics of the agreement when approached by reporters after the meeting.
The industrial action, which had significantly disrupted healthcare services across public health institutions nationwide, was initially scheduled to continue until August 5, 2025. The strike action followed what the union described as the government's failure to respond meaningfully to its 15-day ultimatum issued on July 14, 2025.
While details of the agreement remain undisclosed, the suspension brings relief to patients who had been affected by the week-long disruption of nursing services in government hospitals and healthcare centers throughout the country.
The strike had prompted concerns from various stakeholders, with some state chapters of NANNM expressing sympathy for affected patients while maintaining solidarity with the national body's decision. In Kwara State, for instance, the local chapter had acknowledged the hardship faced by patients while urging the government to address their demands.
This development comes amid ongoing discussions about healthcare workers' welfare in Nigeria, including recent controversies surrounding a circular on nurses' salaries that the government subsequently withdrew following backlash from healthcare professionals.
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