The Government of Ondo State has urge the nurses to suspend their planned strike over alleged welfare neglect.
The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) in the state on Thursday declared indefinite strike, claiming that the government failed to address their concerns.
The Chairman, Felix Orobode, stated the dissatisfaction, accusing the government of neglecting nurses’ welfare despite their crucial role in healthcare delivery.
However, the state government, through Bayo Philip who is the Head of Service expressed surprise at the announcement of the strike, stating that there were no issues that can’t be resolved.
Philip noted, “Like other health workers and public servants in the state, nurses recently benefited from a salary increase through the implementation of the ₦73,000 minimum wage approved in November 2024 by Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.”
He emphasized that health workers, excluding medical doctors met with the government in January 2025 to request the full implementation of the CONHESS Salary Table. Governor Aiyedatiwa subsequently ordered that the financial implications should be worked out for his consideration.
The ongoing process should not be a reason to delay the January 2025 salary payment and urged nurses to reconsider their decision, Philip added.
“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 added.
The Head of Service further warned that the government would not tolerate any disruption to healthcare services, urging nurses in general and specialist hospitals to cancel the planned strike
