Kebbi NANNM chairman apologises for nurses’ strike

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi

The Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Kebbi Chapter, Kilani AbdulWaliyu, has noted that it was a painful decision to embark on an industrial strike, knowing fully that patients would suffer.

AbdulWaliyu, who stated this while addressing newsmen on the strike embarked upon nationwide, apologised to Nigerians over the ongoing nationwide warning strike by nurses.

According to him, “I want to use this medium to apologise to Nigerians, especially our patients. We understand the implications of withdrawing our services; we value lives. However, we are left with no option but to down tools.

“We are also feeling the pain of this decision. We are human, we respect human lives, and we know the possible consequences, including increased mortality.

“These are the difficult considerations we weigh before embarking on a strike.”

AbdulWaliyu appealed to Nigerians to pray for divine intervention, urging God to touch the hearts of leaders and prompt them to address the issues that led to the industrial action.

He emphasised that nurses, more than any other group, fully understood the consequences of a strike because of their direct role in patient care.

The chairman attributed the strike to the government’s failure to meet long-standing demands, including the gazetting of the nursing scheme of service approved in 2016 by the National Council on Establishments in Minna, Niger State.

He noted that the continued delay in implementing the scheme had caused frustration among nurses and hindered progress in the profession.

He also highlighted the need for the centralisation of internship placements for nursing graduates, similar to practices in other professions.

The chairman said adopting the approach would promote fairness, streamline the process, and ensure equal opportunities for all nursing graduates.

He also highlighted critical manpower shortages, noting that over 75,000 nurses have left Nigeria since 2019 due to poor remuneration and unfavourable working conditions.

AbdulWaliyu referenced a recent circular on the upward review of health workers’ allowances, saying it did not reflect the original proposals.

He noted that while the federal government withdrew the circular for revision, no concrete action plan had been communicated.

“After withdrawing the circular, what steps have been taken to address the underlying issues?” he asked.

He also decried the absence of a substantive Director of Nursing Services in the Federal Ministry of Health, saying the current structure did not allow for full autonomy or effective coordination.

“It’s unimaginable that with more than 20,000 nurses under one person, that individual operates without full authority, under another director. How do you ensure unity of command in such a system?” he questioned.

AbdulWaliyu added that the union had taken proactive steps by issuing a warning and a 15-day ultimatum prior to the strike, demonstrating their willingness to engage in dialogue.

He expressed optimism that with constructive engagement, the federal government would take the necessary steps to address the union’s concerns moving forward.