From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services, confirming ongoing negotiations with nurses, doctors, and other health professionals aimed at preventing strike actions that could cripple hospitals nationwide.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Muhammad Ali Pate gave this assurance while addressing State House Correspondents on Thursday, July 31, 2025, following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
Pate applauded President Tinubu’s leadership in what he described as a “revolution” in the nation’s health sector through unprecedented investments and reforms.
The health sector witnessed mounting tensions in recent weeks after a controversial circular issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission on June 27, 2025, sparked widespread displeasure among nurses and other health workers. The circular affected wage structures and arrears payments, resulting in a seven-day warning strike by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), starting at midnight on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Union leaders threatened further industrial action, citing unresolved welfare concerns, including the gazetting of the 2016 nursing scheme of service, centralisation of internship postings, and better remuneration. The dispute threatened to disrupt healthcare delivery following two years of relative industrial peace.
In response, the government withdrew the disputed circular to defuse tensions. Pate declared, “We acknowledge the discontent caused by the recent circular, and in our commitment to a listening government, we have withdrawn it. We are now in transparent negotiations to increment allowances and resolve welfare concerns raised by our health workers.”
He confirmed active engagement with key associations, including the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and NANNM. “We have engaged with the leadership constructively, extended negotiation deadlines, and are attending to their outstanding arrears, with the Minister of Finance overseeing disbursement plans,” he explained.
Highlighting progress on other fronts, he added, “For the nurses’ demands regarding centralisation of postings, we have agreed to manage postings in a fair and orderly manner.”
Pate also stressed the government’s commitment to upgrading healthcare infrastructure across the country, touting what he called “unprecedented investments.”
“We are witnessing a revolution in our federal tertiary hospitals with major infrastructure projects and acquisition of modern equipment,” he said. “For example, newly launched oncology centres in Katsina, Enugu, and Maiduguri allow Nigerians battling cancer to access world-class treatment on home soil.”
He revealed the approval by the FEC for an additional oncology centre upgrade at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, at the cost of N3.7 billion, involving the installation of advanced diagnostic and treatment equipment such as a Linear Accelerator for cancer therapy.
“More oncology centres are planned in Lagos, Nasarawa, and beyond, complementing other massive projects nationwide,” he added.
At the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Pate noted the launch of over ten major projects within a week, including centres for neurology, stroke, heart care, interventional radiology, and oncology. “This level of attention from a presidency to strengthen the health system is unprecedented,” he said.
Addressing the health workers directly, Pate urged, “We call on all our health workers—nurses, doctors, and other professionals—to keep the Nigerian person at the centre of our attention. Let us focus on patient care while negotiations continue.”
He assured that the government is working “in good faith” to find lasting solutions and that “resources will be deployed to address welfare issues within available means.”
He said President Tinubu has encouraged the ministry “to double down on both infrastructure upgrades and health worker welfare.”
Pate concluded by saying, “We are leaning in, striving for resolutions, and encourage union leaders to maintain faith in this process. This government is fully committed to keeping hospitals open and nurses on duty to secure the health of all Nigerians.”
