PHOTO FILE: Nurses

In a bid to resolve the ongoing industrial action by nurses and midwives, Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Pate, on Friday held a closed-door meeting with the leadership of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) alongside representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

The meeting marks the first high-level engagement since members of the nursing union embarked on a nationwide warning strike on Monday, July 29, 2025, following the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government earlier on July 14.

The strike, which is affecting services in federal health institutions across the country, is scheduled to continue until Monday, August 5, 2025.

At the heart of the dispute are long-standing concerns about nurses’ welfare, working conditions, and what the union describes as the government’s “reluctance” to engage meaningfully on these issues.

Minister of Health Professor Ali Pate, who briefed journalists after the meeting, confirmed that the decision to call off the industrial action came after constructive dialogue and agreements were reached with the union’s leadership. Officials of the association, however, declined to speak to the press after the talks.

Speaking ahead of Friday’s meeting, NANNM’s National Chairman, Morakinyo Rilwan, said the strike action was driven by overwhelming frustration among the union’s members. He faulted the federal government for failing to take advantage of the negotiation window before the strike began.

“As far as we are concerned, there has been no communication from the government to this moment. That is why we are saying the strike is going on, and nothing is stopping it. Even if the government calls today or tomorrow, it won’t stop the strike. They had enough time,” Rilwan said.

Rilwan emphasised that the strike was not a decision made unilaterally by the union’s leadership but came as a result of widespread disillusionment within the profession over perceived neglect and lack of recognition.

As of Friday evening, no official statement had been released on the outcome of the closed-door meeting.