The Federal Government has reached fresh agreements
with the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM),
committing to gazette the long-awaited Nurses’ Scheme of Service,
centralize internship postings from 2026, and reserve 60% of
employment quotas for nurses in federal tertiary hospitals.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Deputy General
Secretary of NANNM, Elder Otaru Daniel Shajibu, outlined eight
resolutions achieved during recent engagements between the union and government
officials.
Key Agreements
- Scheme
of Service: The gazetting of the Nurses’ Scheme
of Service has reached an advanced stage, with the Office of the Head
of Civil Service of the Federation directed to finalize and submit the
draft by Friday to the user ministry. The Ministry of Justice has also
interpreted a related court judgment and forwarded it to the Federal
Ministry of Health for transmission to NANNM.
- Allowances:
The National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission is reviewing
professional allowances, a long-standing demand of nurses who have pushed
for better compensation to reflect the rigors of their work.
- Internship
Postings: From 2026, internship
placements for nurses and midwives will be centralized, with
implementation to be factored into the federal budget. A circular from the
Federal Ministry of Health confirming the approval is being awaited.
- Employment
Quotas: The Federal Government has granted
a waiver to more than 36 federal tertiary health institutions,
directing that nurses occupy 60% of job slots in each hospital. An
official circular on this directive is expected.
- Representation:
NANNM was assured of fair representation on the boards of tertiary
health institutions once they are reconstituted.
- Consultancy
Status: Efforts to secure consultancy
status for nurses and midwives with the West African College of
Nursing have reached the Technical Committee of the National Council
on Establishment (NCE).
- Regulation:
The union stressed the urgency of constituting the Nursing and
Midwifery Council board, which has yet to be set up.
Union’s Position
NANNM described the outcomes as significant
milestones, while emphasizing the need for sustained engagement with the
Federal Government to ensure full implementation of all agreements. The
association commended its members for their patience and urged them to remain
steadfast as the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) process
continues.
Background
On August 1, 2025, the Federal Government and
NANNM signed a 7-point agreement at a reconciliation meeting convened by
the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi.
- The
government pledged to gazette the Nurses’ Scheme of Service—originally
approved in 2016—within four weeks.
- Allowances
were also reviewed, including a 30% consolidated shift duty allowance,
20% annual specialist allowance, ?300,000 uniform allowance per
annum, as well as new provisions for excess workload, burnout,
retention, and a 35% teaching allowance.
NANNM maintains that these reforms, once implemented,
will not only improve nurses’ welfare but also strengthen the delivery of
healthcare across Nigeria.
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