The government pledged to instruct the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) to implement a centralized internship placement system for nursing graduates — a move expected to streamline entry into the profession and align nursing practice with other health disciplines.
These resolutions formed part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on Friday during a high-level conciliation meeting convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment. The meeting was also attended by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, and the leadership of NANNM.
The MoU followed a seven-day warning strike declared by nurses and midwives on Wednesday to press for various demands, including the official gazetting of their Scheme of Service, improved shift duty allowances, and other welfare-related concerns. The strike was suspended on Saturday after both parties reached an agreement.
A copy of the MoU obtained was signed by NANNM President Haruna Mamman, General Secretary T.A. Shettima, Director of Human Resources at the Federal Ministry of Health, Dafeta T. Tetshoma, and the Director of Trade Union Services at the Labour Ministry, Falonipe Amos.
The Nurses’ Scheme of Service, which outlines career structures, qualifications, job descriptions, and progression pathways, was initially approved by the National Council on Establishments in 2016 during a meeting in Minna, Niger State. However, it has yet to be officially gazetted — a critical step for its legal implementation.
According to the agreement, “The association was assured that the Scheme of Service shall be gazetted. The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has already written to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. The Director of Nursing at the Ministry and the NANNM Secretariat are to follow up to ensure the process is completed within four weeks.”
In addition to the gazetting, the MoU highlighted several other resolutions:
Internship Centralization:The Federal Ministry of Health will direct the NMCN to finalise and implement a centralized internship placement system for nurses, similar to the process used for other health professions. Efforts will be made to ensure equitable distribution across states and avoid clustering in major cities like Abuja and Lagos.
Professional Allowances and Welfare: Discussions are ongoing regarding shift duty allowances (proposed at 30% consolidated), a 20% annual specialist allowance for all specialist nurses, a proposed N300,000 annual uniform allowance, call duty allowances, teaching allowances, and retention incentives to curb brain drain. These discussions are expected to be concluded within two weeks through negotiations involving the Federal Ministry of Health, Budget Office, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), and other relevant agencies.
Fair Representation on Health Boards: The Health Minister assured the union of equitable representation of nurses on the governing boards of tertiary health institutions, in accordance with their establishing laws.
Nursing Consultancy Roles: The Ministry will initiate a consultative process to define the responsibilities of all healthcare professionals — including nurses — in delivering patient care, as part of broader efforts to recognize nursing consultancy roles.
Constitution of Nursing Council Board: The statutory governing board of the NMCN is to be reconstituted “as soon as possible.”
Recruitment and Workforce Expansion: The Ministry confirmed that waivers had already been granted for the recruitment of over 14,000 health workers in 2024, with nurses accounting for roughly 60%. The waiver process for 2025 has already begun.
The Federal Government and NANNM expressed optimism that these resolutions would usher in a new phase of dialogue, professional recognition, and improved conditions for Nigerian nurses and midwives.
