The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has announced a seven-day warning strike, set to commence at midnight on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, following the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government.
Our correspondents obtained a circular signed by the association’s top leadership directing all state council leaders across the country to fully mobilise members for the industrial action if the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare fails to meet the association’s demands before the deadline.
This was stated in the circular, dated July 25 and sent from the association’s national secretariat in Abuja, signed by key national executives, including 2nd National Vice President Orolu Sesan and Deputy General Secretary Elder Otaru Daniel Shaibu.
The circular reads: “You would recall that the National Leadership on behalf of the entire members of the Association, issued the above ultimatum to the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare over unresolved issues, effective 12.00 midnight of Monday, 14th July, 2025. Be reminded that the ultimatum expires at 12.00 Midnight, Tuesday 29th July, 2025.
“In the light of this development, I have been directed to inform the State Councils Leaderships to prepare our members at all levels by convoking the meetings of all relevant organs on Monday 28th July, 2025, with a view to mobilising them for the 7-day warning strike, billed to kick-start at the expiry of the ongoing ultimatum as stated above, peradventure the Federal Government fails to do the needful. Kindly accord this message the importance it deserves.”
The association earlier issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Nigerian government.
The resolution followed an emergency meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC), held virtually on Thursday, July 10, 2025, from the NANNM National Secretariat in Abuja.
The meeting was also convened in response to a circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) concerning the review of allowances for health workers.
In a communique jointly signed by National President Haruna Mamman and General Secretary Dr. T.A. Shettima, the association announced that the ultimatum would take effect from Monday, July 14.
NANNM described the circular as disappointing, inadequate, and discriminatory, arguing that it failed to reflect the vital roles and sacrifices made by nurses and midwives in Nigeria’s healthcare system.