Fellow Nurses Africa. Lagos, Nigeria. 15 August, 2025.
In a landmark move to bring lasting peace and stability to Nigeria’s healthcare sector, the Federal Government, through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), has directed the Honourable Minister of Health to inaugurate a Collective Bargaining Agreement Committee. Chaired by the Head of Service of the Federation, this committee is poised to finalize agreements with key healthcare unions, including the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), to address critical issues and enhance working conditions for healthcare professionals nationwide.
The inauguration, attended by the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, the Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, representatives from the Budget Office of the Federation, the Office of the Accountant General, and the SGF’s office, underscores the government’s commitment to resolving longstanding challenges in the healthcare sector. The committee’s primary goal is to finalize collective bargaining agreements with individual health sector unions and associations for swift implementation, focusing on improved welfare, salary adjustments, and better working conditions for nurses, doctors, and other healthcare workers.
This initiative comes at a critical time, as Nigeria’s healthcare sector has faced persistent issues such as poor remuneration, inadequate working conditions, and frequent industrial actions. Recent reports highlight the urgency of addressing these challenges to curb brain drain and improve patient care. NANNM, representing nurses and midwives, has long advocated for better salaries, hazard allowances, and career progression frameworks. Similarly, NMA and JOHESU have emphasized the need for equitable welfare packages to ensure industrial harmony.
The committee’s work is expected to streamline salary structures, address disparities in allowances, and minimize disruptions caused by strikes, ultimately fostering a more stable healthcare system. NANNM leadership expressed cautious optimism, with a representative stating on X, “This is a step in the right direction, but we urge the committee to prioritize the welfare of nurses and midwives, who are critical to patient care.” Both NMA and JOHESU have called for transparency and urgency to ensure tangible outcomes.
For Nigeria’s nursing community, this development offers hope for improved job satisfaction, reduced migration of healthcare professionals, and enhanced patient outcomes. The committee is set to begin deliberations immediately, with agreements to be implemented in line with national budgetary provisions, as confirmed by the Budget Office of the Federation.
Fellow Nurses Africa will closely follow the committee’s progress, providing updates on its impact on nurses, midwives, and the broader healthcare sector. Share your thoughts on this transformative initiative via our comment section or on X using #HealthcareReformsNG. Stay informed on nursing news and updates at Fellow Nurses Africa or follow us on X for the latest developments.
Sources: Punch Nigeria (August 2025), X posts, and official statements from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
