- FG: “Nurses Have Agreed to Suspend Strike”
- Nurses to FG: “That’s a Lie, We are Still on Strike“
By Abiola Olawale
A heated standoff between the Federal Government (FG) and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) reached a boiling point on Friday as negotiations over a nationwide nurses’ strike reportedly ended deadlock, confusion, claims and counter claims.
The seven-day warning strike, which began on July 29, 2025, has reportedly crippled healthcare services across Nigeria, leaving many patients stranded and hospitals in state of disarray.
Recall that the strike which was launched after the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued by NANNM on July 14, saw nurses down tools in federal health institutions, including teaching hospitals and specialist centers.
The New Diplomat checks show that their demands included better remuneration, improved working conditions, mass recruitment to address a severe labour shortage, and the withdrawal of a controversial circular on wages that triggered outrage among health workers.
In a swift response, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate on Friday, August 1, announced that NANNM had suspended the strike following a “brief but productive” meeting.
Tashikalmah Hallah, the minister’s spokesperson, confirmed this.However, NANNM leadership swiftly refuted the FG’s claims, calling them “premature and misleading.”
National Chairman of the body, Morakinyo Rilwan, while speaking to the press, insisted that no agreement had been reached, and the strike remained in full force.
He said: “If it was the Minister who organized the strike, then he could call it off. As far as I’m concerned, the strike organized by the association is still ongoing. The Minister didn’t organize the strike, so he doesn’t have the authority to call it off. There are procedures to follow, if it is to be called off at all.”
The New Diplomat gathered that the union has scheduled a general congress for Saturday, where members are expected to deliberate on the outcome of the meeting with the government and determine the next course of action.
