The Oyo State chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives has issued a warning of an indefinite strike if their demands are not met within 14 working days. They conveyed this ultimatum in a letter addressed to Governor Seyi Makinde on Thursday, May 2, 2024. This decision was reached after the state executive council meeting held on Tuesday to discuss concerns regarding nurses’ welfare and career advancement within the state government. Signed by the council’s Chairman, Adeyemi Samuel, and Secretary, Aina Emmanuel, the letter emphasized issues like staff shortages, incorrect promotion dates, and the need for the implementation of an adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure.
The nurses have set a deadline of May 21, 2024, for the government to meet their demands, failing which an indefinite strike will commence from midnight of May 22. Nigeria is witnessing a significant outflow of healthcare professionals, including nurses and midwives, due to various factors such as poor compensation, increasing insecurity, inadequate facilities, and unfavorable working conditions. President of NANNM, Michael Nnachi, highlighted this trend, noting that over 57,000 nurses migrated from Nigeria between 2017 and 2022, leaving those who remain overwhelmed with work.
Nnachi underscored that these issues have persisted for a considerable period, with numerous appeals made to the government for intervention without any positive response. Hence, if their demands are not addressed, the nurses will have no choice but to initiate an indefinite strike once the ultimatum expires. Their demands include mass recruitment to alleviate staffing shortages, rectification of promotion letter errors, implementation of a 25% CONHESS adjustment, and financial implementation of promotions from 2018 to 2022.
Additionally, they seek enhanced hazard allowances, career progression opportunities, resolution of salary payment issues, and adherence to uniform allowance guidelines. Failure to meet these demands within the specified timeframe will compel the State Executive Council of NANNM to instruct its members to proceed with the strike until their grievances are resolved.
