The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Federal Health Institutions (NANNM-FHI), has rejected a recent circular issued by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC), describing it as unjust and dismissive of nurses’ roles in federal health institutions.
The circular, referenced 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 has drawn criticism for excluding nurses from key revisions in allowances.
Following an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Thursday in Abuja, the association condemned the circular for failing to acknowledge the critical contributions of nurses, who represent between 60 and 70 per cent of the nation’s healthcare workforce.
President of NANNM-FHI, Nurse Morakinyo-Olajide Rilwan, told journalists that the circular was released without any consultation with the association, despite its implications for a large portion of healthcare professionals.
He noted that the circular ignored several crucial allowances due to nurses, including shift, uniform, specialist, call duty, and retention allowances.
“Nurses work demanding shifts, often spending long hours with patients and their families. Yet, our current shift allowance remains at just 8.5 per cent of our salary, despite a 2009 circular approving 30 per cent of basic salary,” Rilwan stated.
He further explained that the nature of nursing requires frequent uniform changes, stressing that uniform allowances should reflect this necessity.
“Uniforms are not optional; they are essential. At the very least, nurses need three uniforms per week,” he said.
Rilwan also described the selective application of specialist allowances as discriminatory, despite the existence of various specialist cadres within the nursing profession.
He urged the Federal Government to prioritise the retention of trained nurses, many of whom are migrating abroad in search of better conditions.
“Nigeria has the nurses, but we’re losing them due to poor welfare and policy neglect,” he added.
He also called for the reconstitution of the Governing Board of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, which he said has remained inactive for years.
Additionally, he advocated for the inclusion of nurses on the boards of Federal Health Institutions, citing their status as the largest workforce in the sector.
Rilwan raised concerns over the removal of nurse educators—especially those on grade levels 7 and 8—from clinical duties, despite their key role in training student nurses.
“The same circular states that trainers should be paid. Yet those who train others are being sidelined,” he said.
The NANNM-FHI president also called for the implementation of internship placements for university-trained nurses, which would enable their participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). He proposed a centralised system to ensure consistency and quality.
He further recommended the establishment of a Department of Nursing within the Federal Ministry of Health.
“Although we have a Director of Nursing, there is no formal department. There should be dedicated directorates for training, statistics, and clinical practice,” he said.
Rilwan concluded by expressing the association’s willingness to engage in dialogue with the government but warned that continued neglect could result in industrial action.
