“Ondo Gov’t Requests Nurses to Reconsider Strike Over Welfare Issues”
The Ondo State Government has appealed to nurses in the state to suspend their planned strike, which was scheduled to begin after the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) accused the government of neglecting their welfare.
On Thursday, NANNM Chairman Felix Orobode announced that nurses in the state would embark on an indefinite strike, citing the government’s failure to address concerns related to their welfare. Orobode criticized the government for neglecting the essential role nurses play in the healthcare system.
However, the Ondo State Government, through the Head of Service Bayo Philip, expressed surprise at the strike announcement, stating that there were no unresolved issues that would justify such an action. Philip pointed out that, like other health workers and public servants, nurses had recently received a salary increase following the approval of the ₦73,000 minimum wage by Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa in November 2024.
He explained that health workers, excluding medical doctors, had met with the government in January 2025 to discuss the full implementation of the CONHESS Salary Table. The governor had directed that the financial implications be worked out for consideration.
Philip emphasized that the ongoing process to address the issue should not be a reason to delay the payment of the January 2025 salary and urged nurses to reconsider their decision to strike.
“The government calls on the nurses to shelve their planned industrial action as there is no justification for it. Nurses are aware of the government’s efforts and should allow reason to prevail,” he said.
The Head of Service also warned that the government would not tolerate any disruption to healthcare services and urged nurses in general and specialist hospitals to cancel the planned strike.
