Ondo Nurses Begin Strike, Halt Operations in Government Hospitals

• Nurses in Ondo State begin an indefinite strike due to the government’s failure to address welfare concerns and salary adjustments
• The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives cites neglect and poor working conditions as reasons for withdrawing services indefinitely

Nurses employed by the Ondo State government have commenced an indefinite strike, shutting down operations in all state-owned hospitals.

The strike follows the alleged failure of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration to address their welfare concerns.

The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) announced the decision during a press briefing in Akure on Thursday.

Felix Orobode, Chairman of NANNM, criticized the government for neglecting nurses’ welfare despite their crucial role in the healthcare sector. He stated that the association had repeatedly engaged with the government, but salary adjustments and benefits agreements were not honoured.

Orobode highlighted key grievances, including:

• Failure to implement a salary adjustment for nurses under the CONHESS structure, despite the N73,000 minimum wage approval.
• Lack of uniform allowance, as stipulated in the Public Service Rule.
• Non-payment of arrears for promotions and hazard allowances.
• Poor working conditions and inadequate hospital equipment.
• Improper placement and remuneration of nurses and midwives.

He further stated that the government had agreed to a new salary structure, set for implementation in January 2025. However, when paid salaries were based on the old structure, violating the agreement.

“In multiple negotiations since 2023, we presented our demands, yet none have been fully addressed,” Orobode noted. “We have been taken for granted, and after an emergency meeting, the State Executive Council resolved to embark on an indefinite strike.”

He directed all nurses and midwives under the state’s employment to withdraw their services starting at midnight on Friday, January 31, 2025, until their demands are met.

The strike has already disrupted medical services across the 18 local government areas in Ondo State.

Efforts to obtain a response from the state government were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, Governor Aiyedatiwa recently dismissed his commissioners, who were part of the State Executive Council (SEC), further complicating the crisis.