The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives in Federal Health Institutions has voiced strong opposition to a recent directive by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, labelling it unjust and dismissive of the critical role nurses play in healthcare delivery across federal institutions.
In a statement issued after an emergency National Executive Council meeting held Thursday in Abuja, the association condemned Circular No. SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646, dated June 27 and titled “Review of Allowances for Medical/Dental Officers in the Federal Public Service”, for sidelining nurses in its latest review of allowances.
NANNM-FHI President, Nurse Morakinyo-Olajide Rilwan, addressing reporters, said the circular was released without any form of consultation with the association, despite its wide-reaching implications for the nursing workforce, which constitutes between 60 and 70 per cent of personnel in federal health institutions.
He lamented the exclusion of nurses from critical allowances, including those for shift work, uniforms, specialist roles, call duties, and retention incentives.
“Nurses run intensive shifts, spending extended hours with patients and their relatives. Yet, our current shift allowance is just 8.5 per cent of our salary, despite a 2009 circular approving 30 per cent of basic salary,” Rilwan stated.
He pointed out that the nature of nursing duties demands frequent uniform changes, noting that the current uniform allowance fails to reflect this reality.
“Uniforms are essential, not optional. At a minimum, we need three uniforms a week,” he stressed.
Rilwan criticised the selective allocation of specialist allowances, calling it discriminatory against nurses who have undergone advanced training and acquired professional qualifications.
He emphasized that nursing is a profession with multiple specialist cadres, all of whom deserve equal consideration under federal policies.
The association further raised alarm over the rising migration of trained nurses to other countries due to poor welfare and a lack of institutional support.
“Nigeria has the nurses, but we are losing them due to poor welfare and policy neglect,” Rilwan said.
He also called on the federal government to reactivate the Governing Board of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, which he said has been inactive for years, and demanded inclusion of nurses in the governing boards of Federal Health Institutions, given their dominant presence in the sector’s workforce.
Expressing concern over the exclusion of nurse educators, particularly those on grade levels 7 and 8, from clinical roles, Rilwan pointed out the contradiction in policy implementation.
“The same circular states that trainers should be paid. Yet, those training others are being sidelined,” he noted.
Additionally, he advocated for structured internship opportunities for university-trained nurses to ensure their eligibility for participation in the National Youth Service Corps, suggesting a centralized placement model to maintain standardization and quality.
Rilwan further pressed for the establishment of a dedicated Department of Nursing under the Federal Ministry of Health, arguing that a mere directorate is insufficient.
“While we have a Director of Nursing, there is no actual department. There should be directorates for training, statistics, and clinical practice within that framework,” he said.
While reaffirming the association’s willingness to engage in dialogue with the government, Rilwan warned that inaction could lead to industrial unrest if the concerns of nurses are not adequately addressed.
