NANNM Strike 2025 Update: MOU Deadlines Lapse as Government Fails to Address Nurses’ Demands
Abuja, Nigeria – Saturday, August 30, 2025
The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) finds itself at a critical juncture following the expiration of key deadlines stipulated in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) on August 1, 2025. The August 15, 2025, deadline for finalizing professional allowances and the subsequent August 28, 2025, deadline for gazetting the 2016 Nurses Scheme of Service have both passed without resolution, underscoring the government’s failure to honor its commitments.
This breach has left nurses’ longstanding demands—fair remuneration, safe working conditions, and professional recognition—unaddressed, casting a shadow over the strike suspension agreed upon on August 2, 2025. Fellow Nurses Africa, presents this update as Nigeria’s healthcare sector faces an uncertain future.
The MOU, endorsed by Dr. T.A. Shettima, General Secretary, and Comrade Haruna Mamman, National President, followed the seven-day warning strike that commenced on July 30, 2025, after a 15-day ultimatum expired on July 29, 2025. It outlined critical concessions to address nurses’ grievances: a 30% shift duty allowance, 20% specialist allowance, ₦300,000 annual uniform allowance, 4% call duty allowance, 35% teaching allowance, and payments for workload and retention to mitigate brain drain, all to be finalized by August 15, 2025.
Additionally, the gazetting of the Nurses Scheme was mandated by August 28, 2025. Despite these clear timelines, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOH&SW) has failed to act, with no consultations initiated with health unions or the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), as required.
Amid this setback, NANNM leadership has initiated a robust response. Following the MOU, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation established a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) committee, granting equal representation to NANNM, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
This committee has commenced its deliberations, while NANNM continues to engage government agencies to advance policy-related demands, some of which are reportedly receiving positive attention. However, financial commitments, including allowances, await the committee’s recommendations and budgetary approval, a process that may extend beyond immediate resolution.
However, NANNM has taken to its official Facebook platfom this afternoon encouraging nurses to be patient, “Nurses and midwives will smile soon—our leadership is fighting for you, but some progress depends on funding timelines.” The post says.
Sources who spoke to our correspondent expressed deep concern. One senior NANNM member stated, “The government’s inaction has eroded our trust entirely.” Another cautioned, “If another strike erupts, the blame rests with their unfulfilled promises.” This sentiment is echoed by media platforms which have consistently highlighted the FGN’s history of delays. The National Executive Council (NEC) is actively assessing the next steps, urging members to remain patient as negotiations persist.
Fellow Nurses Africa remains steadfast in monitoring this evolving situation, committed to delivering timely updates. The growing engagement on #NANNMStrike2025 and #SupportNigerianNurses reflects the urgent need for the FGN to fulfill its obligations. As Nigeria’s healthcare sector navigates this challenging period, the resolution of these demands will shape the welfare of its nursing workforce and the nation’s healthcare reform trajectory in 2025.
Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing, we educate, inform and support the nursing profession.
