Nurses in Kwara Give State Government 15-Day Ultimatum, Threaten Strike Action

Nurses in Kwara Give State Government 15-Day Ultimatum, Threaten Strike Action

The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Kwara State Council, has set a 15-working day ultimatum for the state government to address its critical welfare demands, threatening industrial action if their requests are not met.

In a letter addressed to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, dated April 15, 2025, and signed by the State Secretary Comrade Markus Lucas, the association noted that the government has until May 8, 2025, to respond, or they will have no choice but to initiate a strike.

Following a meeting of its State Executive Council in Ilorin, the association highlighted several unresolved issues impacting the welfare and professional status of its members. It expressed deep dissatisfaction, stating that, despite previous communications, these issues remain unaddressed.

Among the primary grievances is the state government’s failure to implement the Federal Government-approved entry-level placement of graduate nurses at Grade Level 10, CONHESS 09. Additional concerns include the lack of adoption of the 25 percent CONHESS salary increase sanctioned by the Federal Government, the need to rectify call duty allowance discrepancies, and the urgent requirement for additional nurse recruitment to combat significant personnel shortages in hospitals statewide.

The association stressed that the shortage of nurses is leading to staff burnout and an increase in the exodus of trained professionals. They implored the government to take immediate action to alleviate the staffing crisis in the health sector.

“In line with a unanimous decision from the State Executive Council of NANNM, Kwara State Council, we hereby issue a 15-working day ultimatum, starting April 16, 2025, and concluding May 8, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., for the resolution of these issues,” the letter stated. “If our demands are not met within this timeframe, we will have no option but to commence industrial action.”