The Federal Government has committed to gazetting the long-delayed Nurses’ Scheme of Service within the next four weeks, following a resolution reached with the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

As part of the agreement, the government also pledged to instruct the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria to initiate modalities for a centralized internship placement process for nursing graduates—mirroring arrangements already in place for other health professionals.

These concessions are aimed at addressing critical demands by NANNM, including concerns around career progression, improved welfare, and structured internship opportunities.

The agreement was outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at the end of a conciliatory meeting held on Friday. The meeting was convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Maigari Dingyadi, and attended by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, alongside NANNM leadership.

The nurses had commenced a seven-day warning strike on Wednesday, pushing for the gazetting of the scheme and a review of shift and professional allowances. However, the strike was suspended on Saturday after both parties reached a consensus.

The MoU, obtained by The PUNCH on Sunday, was signed by NANNM President Haruna Mamman, General Secretary T.A. Shettima, and senior officials from the Ministries of Health and Labour.

Originally approved by the National Council on Establishments in 2016, the Scheme of Service outlines the career path, qualifications, job descriptions, and promotion criteria for nurses in the public service. According to the MoU, the Ministry of Health has already written to the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, requesting immediate action on the gazette. The Director of Nursing and the NANNM Secretary General have been tasked with following up to ensure completion within four weeks.

The agreement also addressed the implementation of a National Industrial Court judgment directing the establishment of a Department of Nursing within the Federal Ministry of Health. This matter has now been referred to the Ministry of Justice for interpretation and enforcement.

In terms of professional welfare, the MoU acknowledged several key demands, including:

• 30% shift duty allowance

• 20% annual specialist allowance for specialist nurses

• Uniform allowance increase to ₦300,000 per annum

• Call duty allowance set at 4% consolidated

• 35% teaching allowance for nurses involved in training

• Peculiar excess workload and burnout allowance

• Retention allowance to curb brain drain

The Ministry of Health will engage separately with all major health unions and relevant departments within two weeks to review and finalize these proposals.

Regarding internship placements, the Ministry agreed to immediately direct the Nursing and Midwifery Council to finalize plans for a centralized system that accommodates state needs and prevents clustering in Abuja and Lagos.

On the issue of fair representation of NANNM on the boards of federal tertiary health institutions, the Minister of Health assured the union of equitable appointments in line with the laws establishing the institutions. He also pledged to expedite the constitution of the governing board of the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Prof. Pate disclosed that the Ministry had granted waivers for the employment of over 14,000 health workers in 2024, with nurses accounting for approximately 60% of the new hires. He added that the recruitment process for 2024 is concluded, and preparations for the 2025 exercise are already underway.