NANNM Strike Agreement at Risk: Only 48 Hours Remain Until August 15 Deadline as Government Fails to Fulfill MOU Commitments

NANNM Strike Agreement at Risk: Only 48 Hours Remain Until August 15 Deadline as Government Fails to Fulfill MOU Commitments

Abuja, Nigeria – 12:50 PM BST, Wednesday, August 13, 2025 – The agreement resolving the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) seven-day warning strike, suspended on August 2, 2025, is increasingly imperiled as the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has yet to fulfill its obligations under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on August 1, 2025. With a mere 48 hours remaining until the Friday, August 15, 2025, deadline, ongoing negotiations have failed to secure a resolution despite several meetings with the Federal Government, which have not yielded a greenlight for implementation.

The strike, initiated on July 30, 2025, following a 15-day ultimatum expiring on July 29, 2025, was paused to address critical issues including inadequate remuneration, unpaid allowances, and hazardous working conditions. Fellow Nurses Africa is providing this update as Nigeria’s healthcare sector confronts a pivotal moment in 2025.

The MOU, negotiated with the Honourable Ministers of Health & Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, and Labour & Employment, outlined key concessions to resolve the dispute. These include a 30% shift duty allowance, 20% specialist allowance, a ₦300,000 annual uniform allowance, 4% call duty allowance, 35% teaching allowance, and additional payments for workload and retention to combat brain drain. The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOH&SW) was directed to finalize these in collaboration with health unions and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) by August 15, 2025. However, with only two days remaining and multiple discussions proving inconclusive, reports indicate a persistent lack of progress, intensifying concerns over the government’s commitment.

The MOU also stipulated the gazetting of the 2016 Nurses Scheme of Service within four weeks (by September 5, 2025), a process reportedly advancing, yet the allowances deadline remains a critical unresolved issue. Daily Trust and The Nation have noted the FGN’s historical delays, heightening skepticism within NANNM. NANNM leadership is currently convened in a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting today, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, to deliberate on the next course of action following the government’s failure to provide a greenlight. As the deadline approaches, the question remains: will the Federal Government honor its commitments?

Fellow Nurses Africa remains dedicated to monitoring the situation closely and will provide regular updates as developments emerge.

The escalating dialogue surrounding #NANNMStrike2025 and #SupportNigerianNurses underscores the urgency for the FGN to uphold its pledges. As Nigeria’s healthcare sector navigates this critical period, the outcome of the next 48 hours will significantly influence the welfare of nurses and the nation’s healthcare reform efforts in 2025.