The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives – Federal Health Institutions Sector (NANNM-FHI) has refuted reports that it has called off its ongoing seven-day nationwide warning strike.
Speaking to our correspondent on Friday, NANNM-FHI’s National Public Relations Officer, Omomo Tibiebi, confirmed that the strike, which began on Wednesday, remains active despite a meeting with the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, earlier in the day.
The union launched the strike to press long-standing demands, including increased shift and uniform allowances, a separate salary structure for nurses, higher core duty allowance, mass recruitment, and the creation of a nursing department within the Federal Ministry of Health.
Tibiebi clarified, “The strike has not been suspended. Earlier today, our executives met with the minister, who went public saying the strike was called off. However, he did not initiate the strike and therefore has no authority to end it. The strike is still ongoing.”
He added that the union’s National Executive Council is scheduled to meet on Saturday to assess the Federal Government’s proposals and decide on the next course of action.
“We will determine if the government’s promises are sufficient to suspend the strike after our meeting tomorrow,” Tibiebi said.
Meanwhile, the strike continues to disrupt healthcare services nationwide. Hospitals are overwhelmed, with limited staff struggling to maintain basic operations. Many wards remain deserted, skeletal services are operating in some areas, and several facilities have been forced to shut down. Patients are facing delays and in some cases are being discharged early due to the shortage of nurses.
