Cross River Government Meets Nurses After 21-Day Ultimatum, Considers Welfare Demands

Cross River Government Meets Nurses After 21-Day Ultimatum, Considers Welfare Demands

FNA NEWS, 10th Of NOVEMBER, 2026

The Cross River State Government has opened discussions with the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) following a 21-day ultimatum issued by the union over staff shortages, unpaid allowances, salary concerns and other welfare challenges affecting nurses in the state.

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The meeting, held on November 5, 2026, at the Office of the Head of Service in Calabar, provided an opportunity for the nursing association to formally present its grievances and request government intervention.

The engagement follows a formal notice issued by NANNM on October 30, 2026, warning that failure to address its demands within the stipulated period could lead to lawful industrial action.

Although the government has commenced discussions with the union, the meeting has not yet produced a publicly announced resolution of the demands.

NANNM Highlights Staff Shortages and Working Conditions

Presenting the association’s position, the Cross River State NANNM Chairman, Comrade Josephine Bassey, identified inadequate nursing personnel as one of the major challenges affecting healthcare delivery across the state.

She raised concerns about staffing shortages within the State Ministry of Health and the state’s four colleges of nursing, where the association also identified a shortage of nursing tutors.

According to the association, the workforce deficit has placed considerable pressure on available personnel, resulting in excessive workloads, prolonged duty hours, occupational stress and professional burnout.

The union warned that these conditions could affect nurses’ wellbeing and compromise the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery.

To address the shortage, NANNM requested the recruitment of at least 500 additional nurses into the State Ministry of Health and another 100 nurses into Primary Healthcare facilities across the state.

The proposed recruitment, according to the association, would help distribute workloads more effectively and strengthen healthcare services.

Salary Deductions and Unpaid Allowances Among Major Concerns

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Beyond staffing challenges, the association raised concerns about what it described as inadequate remuneration and irregularities in the implementation of the new national minimum wage.

NANNM also demanded the payment of outstanding uniform and hazard allowances, alongside a review of unexplained deductions from nurses’ salaries.

The union further protested the stoppage of salaries belonging to some nurses over alleged absence from duty. It maintained that affected personnel were not adequately investigated or informed before the decisions were taken.

The association called for a review of the affected cases and appropriate action to address any established payroll irregularities.

These concerns highlight the broader welfare issues facing nurses in the state’s public healthcare system, particularly the need for transparent remuneration practices and the timely payment of professional entitlements.

Government Acknowledges Grievances

The Head of Service, Cross River State, Orok Bassey Okon, was represented at the meeting by the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Barr. Lucy Bassey.

In her opening remarks, she received the association’s concerns and assured the delegation that the issues presented would be communicated to the Head of Service for appropriate attention.

However, the government did not announce specific timelines or concrete implementation commitments for the demands raised during the engagement.

The Director-General of the Cross River State Health Insurance Agency, Chief Godwin Iyala, also addressed issues relating to healthcare access and workers’ welfare under the state health insurance scheme.

He encouraged eligible health workers to register with the scheme and obtain their health insurance cards to access available healthcare services. He also assured the delegation that the concerns raised would be examined.

Other discussions at the meeting covered funding, accountability and the renovation of some health facilities as part of efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure and service delivery.

Beyond Dialogue: Will the Government Address the Underlying Issues?

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The government’s decision to engage NANNM represents an important step towards resolving the dispute. However, the effectiveness of the intervention will depend on whether the discussions translate into measurable improvements in nurses’ working conditions.

The concerns raised by the association extend beyond salary disputes. They touch on workforce planning, staff retention, occupational wellbeing and the capacity of public health institutions to deliver safe and effective care.

Recruiting additional nurses is important, but recruitment alone cannot resolve a workforce crisis if existing personnel continue to experience poor working conditions, delayed entitlements and inadequate institutional support.

Similarly, unresolved salary discrepancies and unpaid allowances can undermine staff morale and weaken confidence in the systems responsible for managing healthcare workers’ welfare.

The request for 600 additional nurses also raises an important question about the state’s long-term workforce strategy: how will Cross River recruit, deploy and retain enough qualified nurses to meet the healthcare needs of its population?

For now, the engagement has created an opportunity for further dialogue between the government and the nursing association. What remains critical is a clear response to the demands, transparent communication and an implementation framework that allows both parties to measure progress.

Ultimately, the welfare of nurses cannot be separated from the quality of healthcare delivery. A health system that depends on nurses to protect lives must also provide the staffing, remuneration, resources and working conditions necessary for them to perform their duties effectively.

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