NANNM Gives Cross River Government 21-Day Ultimatum Over Nurses’ Welfare, Staff Shortages
FNA NEWS, 4th of November, 2026
The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Cross River State Council, has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Cross River State Government over persistent welfare challenges, poor remuneration and unresolved grievances affecting nurses across the state.
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In a formal letter dated 30 October 2026 and addressed to the state governor, the union called for urgent intervention in what it described as worsening working conditions for nurses in state-owned health institutions.
The notice gives the government 21 days from the date of receipt to take concrete and verifiable steps towards resolving the concerns. NANNM warned that failure to address the issues within the stipulated period could compel the union to pursue lawful and constitutionally permissible industrial relations measures.
NANNM Raises Alarm Over Acute Shortage of Nurses
One of the major concerns raised by the union is the shortage of nursing personnel across the state’s health facilities.
According to the notice, the State Ministry of Health has only 539 nurses, while the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency has 107 nurses.
The union said the limited workforce has resulted in excessive workloads, prolonged duty hours, inadequate rest and increased physical and emotional exhaustion among nurses.
It also raised concerns about the implications of these conditions for patient safety. Nurses, it said, are routinely required to care for more patients than the available workforce can reasonably manage.
The union further cited reports of deteriorating health among colleagues and deaths within the nursing workforce as reasons for urgent government intervention.
To address the shortage, NANNM is demanding the recruitment and deployment of 500 additional qualified nurses to state-owned health facilities and 100 nurses to the Primary Healthcare Development Agency.
Nurses Demand Improved Remuneration and Salary Harmonisation
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NANNM also called for a review of nurses’ remuneration, arguing that existing pay does not adequately reflect their professional responsibilities, expertise and workload.
The union expressed concern over disparities between the remuneration and welfare provisions available to nurses in state health institutions and those applicable to their counterparts in federal government health institutions.
It is therefore demanding fairer remuneration and appropriate alignment with applicable Federal Government remuneration provisions and approved health-sector salary structures, including the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).
The demand comes amid wider concerns about the ability of public health institutions to retain experienced healthcare professionals when remuneration and working conditions remain uncompetitive.
Union Demands Proper Implementation of Minimum Wage
The implementation of the applicable national minimum wage is another major issue identified in the notice.
The association alleged inconsistencies and shortcomings in the application of the minimum wage and its consequential adjustments for nurses in Cross River State.
It called on the government to ensure that all eligible nurses receive their lawful entitlements, including outstanding arrears where applicable.
The union stressed that salary adjustments must follow the relevant legal and administrative framework rather than arbitrary interpretations or omissions.
Unpaid Hazard and Uniform Allowances, Salary Shortfalls
The association also expressed dissatisfaction over the reported non-payment of hazard and uniform allowances to eligible nurses.
It noted that nurses routinely work in environments where they face exposure to infectious diseases, biological hazards, hazardous substances and other occupational risks.
According to the union, the failure to pay these allowances adds to the welfare concerns confronting the workforce.
In addition, NANNM reported receiving complaints from nurses about unexplained salary reductions and shortfalls.
It alleged that some deductions occurred without adequate prior communication, satisfactory explanations or transparent clarification.
The association is demanding an investigation into all reported salary discrepancies, correction of identified payroll errors and refunds for any unjustified underpayments.
Six Demands Presented to Cross River Government
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In its formal notice, NANNM outlined six major demands for the state government:
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Recruit and deploy 500 additional nurses to state-owned health facilities and 100 nurses to the Primary Healthcare Development Agency.
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Review and improve nurses’ remuneration, with appropriate alignment to applicable federal remuneration provisions and approved health-sector salary structures.
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Ensure proper implementation of the national minimum wage, including consequential adjustments and payment of outstanding arrears where established.
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Pay outstanding hazard and uniform allowances to eligible nurses in line with applicable policies and conditions of service.
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Investigate reported salary shortfalls, explain discrepancies, correct payroll errors and refund unjustified underpayments.
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Convene an urgent meeting with NANNM leadership and relevant ministries, departments and agencies to establish an implementation framework, timelines and monitoring mechanisms.
NANNM Calls for Dialogue, Warns of Possible Industrial Action
Although the association issued a 21-day ultimatum, it maintained that its action was not motivated by hostility towards the government.
Instead, it described the notice as a necessary intervention aimed at securing improved working conditions, protecting nurses’ professional dignity and strengthening healthcare delivery across the state.
The union expressed its preference for constructive dialogue, mutual respect and a timely resolution of the grievances.
However, it warned that failure to address the demands within the stipulated period could leave it with no option but to consider lawful industrial relations measures.
The notice was copied to several government officials and relevant stakeholders, including the Head of Service, Commissioner for Health, Accountant-General, Director of Nursing Services and the state leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress.
FNA View: Nurses’ Welfare Is a Patient Safety Issue
The concerns raised by NANNM extend beyond salary disputes and employment benefits. They touch on the capacity of the healthcare system to provide safe and effective care.
An inadequate nursing workforce increases pressure on available staff. Excessive workloads and prolonged duty hours can also undermine concentration, recovery and the quality of patient monitoring.
Similarly, unresolved remuneration issues and unpaid professional entitlements can weaken morale and make public health institutions less attractive to experienced nurses.
The demand for 600 additional nurses is therefore an important workforce planning issue. However, recruitment must go hand in hand with staff retention, fair remuneration, adequate working conditions and effective workforce management.
The Cross River State Government now faces a 21-day window to engage the nursing union and demonstrate a clear commitment to resolving the grievances.
Ultimately, the welfare of nurses cannot be separated from the quality of healthcare available to the public. A healthcare system that expects nurses to protect lives must also provide the workforce with the resources, protection and working conditions required to do so.
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Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing, we educate, inform and support nurses across Africa.
Durowoju Abisola is a registered nurse, nurse writer and On-Air Correspondent at Fellow Nurses Africa (FNA), passionate about nursing leadership, health education and advocacy.
Through journalism, storytelling and content creation, she amplifies important conversations around nursing, healthcare and the experiences of nurses in Nigeria. She is committed to using her voice and professional knowledge to educate the public, challenge misconceptions and inspire the next generation of nurses.
