The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Kwara chapter, joined the ongoing nationwide strike on Wednesday to demand improved welfare, fair allowances, and better working conditions.

The industrial action follows a directive from the national body of the association, which called for full compliance and solidarity across all 36 states and the FCT.

In an interview in Ilorin on Wednesday, Aminu Sheu, the chairman of the NANNM Kwara State Council, confirmed the commencement of the strike in the state.

He noted that the Kwara chapter joined the strike in obedience to the national directive, despite efforts made by the state government to improve the welfare of nurses.

“We are joining the strike because it is the directive of the national body. There is no demand we have made that the governor has not approved,” he said.

Mr Sheu also commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for increasing nurses’ salaries in the state for the third time in line with federal directives.

“We joined the strike to show solidarity with the national body and to avoid any disciplinary consequences,” he added.

Also speaking, Mariam AbdulAzeez, chairperson of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital chapter of NANNM, said the strike followed the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum given to the federal government.

She emphasised that many of the union’s long-standing demands had not been met and that the working conditions for nurses remain poor.

“We want the federal government to create a dedicated department of nursing under the federal Ministry of Health. Other sister unions have such departments; it is unfair that we do not,” she said.

Ms AbdulAzeez further highlighted the issue of staff shortages, attributing it to the Japa syndrome, which had led to a significant number of nurses leaving the country for better opportunities abroad.

“Globally, the nurse-to-patient ratio should be one to four, but in Nigeria, one nurse may be responsible for up to 30 patients. In some facilities, it’s even one to 10,” she said.

She appealed to the government at all levels to urgently address their grievances, stating that nurses were not strike-friendly but were driven by concern for the well-being of Nigerians.

(NAN)