Nurses Reject Circular on Allowances Issued by Wages Commission

Nurses Reject Circular on Allowances Issued by Wages Commission

The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Federal Health Institutions sector, has rejected a recent circular issued by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission.

Describing the circular as unfair and dismissive of the vital role nurses play in federal health institutions, the association expressed strong disapproval over its contents.

The circular, referenced No. SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646 and dated June 27, is titled “Review of Allowances for Medical/Dental Officers in the Federal Public Service.” It was criticised for excluding nurses from key allowance adjustments.

Following an emergency National Executive Council meeting held on Thursday in Abuja, the association stated that the circular overlooks the significant contributions of nurses, who make up between 60 and 70 percent of the nation’s healthcare workforce.

NANNM-FHI President, Morakinyo-Olajide Rilwan, told journalists that the circular was issued without prior consultation with the association, in spite of its impact on a major segment of healthcare professionals.

He said the document did not address critical allowances due to nurses, including shift, uniform, specialist, call duty, and retention allowances.

“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 said.

He added that nurses are required to change uniforms multiple times daily due to the nature of their duties, stressing that uniform allowance should reflect this reality.

“Uniforms are essential, not optional. At a minimum, we need three uniforms a week,” he said.

Rilwan said the selective application of the specialist allowance was discriminatory and unfair to nurses with specialist qualifications.

He noted that nursing includes several specialist cadres who deserve equal treatment.

He called on the Federal Government to prioritise the retention of trained nurses, who are increasingly migrating abroad in search of better conditions.

Nigeria has the nurses, but we are losing them due to poor welfare and policy neglect,” he said.

Rilwan also urged the government to reconstitute the Governing Board of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, saying it had remained dormant for years.

He emphasized the need for nurses to be included on the boards of Federal Health Institutions, noting that they make up the largest segment of the healthcare workforce.

Expressing concern over the exclusion of nurse educators—particularly those on grade levels 7 and 8—from clinical duties, he highlighted the contradiction in the circular, which calls for trainers to be compensated while sidelining those actively involved in training student nurses.

The President of NANNM-FHI also called for internship placements for university-trained nurses to enable them to participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). He recommended a centralized system to ensure consistency and maintain high standards.

In addition, he advocated for the establishment of a Department of Nursing within the Federal Ministry of Health. “Although we have a Director of Nursing, there is no dedicated department. There should be directorates for training, statistics, and clinical practice within that structure,” he said.

Rilwan added that the association remains open to dialogue and engagement with the government but cautioned that failure to address their concerns could result in industrial action.

NAN