The Zamfara State Council of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Zamfara State Government over what it described as the non-implementation of key agreements contained in a previously signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
However, the body expressed concern that, forty-eight days after the MoU was signed, the government had allegedly failed to fulfill its commitments, especially on the issue of 100 per cent CONHESS salary adjustment and other welfare-related demands for nurses and midwives.
The union recalled that it had formally reminded the government of the outstanding obligations in a letter dated 20 October 2025. It added that a subsequent response from the Office of the Head of Civil Service, dated 27 October 2025, was “less than supportive” and was perceived as threatening the existence of the association, which is a recognized trade union under the Trade Unions Act.
NANNM stressed that it had honoured its own part of the MoU, including suspending an earlier warning strike and resuming services, in the interest of reconciliation and industrial harmony. The association blamed the state government’s alleged lack of follow-through for rising frustration among its members.
Consequently, the union has now served a 15-day ultimatum, effective from 17 November to 1 December 2025, during which it is asking the state government to fully implement all outstanding provisions of the MoU, address and resolve all pending demands, and take steps to safeguard the healthcare sector in Zamfara State.
The association warned that failure by the government to respond satisfactorily within the specified period would leave it with no option but to withdraw services and commence an indefinite strike from midnight of 1 December 2025, in line with resolutions of its State Executive Council meeting held on 15 November 2025.
NANNM reiterated its commitment to partnership with the government but insisted that such collaboration must be based on respect for agreements reached. It urged the state to treat the matter as a priority in order to avoid “unnecessary escalation and further industrial disputes.”
The letter, signed by the State Secretary/Assistant General Secretary, Nurse Comrade Abdullahi Mustapha, was copied to the Head of Service, the Commissioner for Health, security agencies, the Federal Ministry of Labour, NLC leadership in the state, and heads of key health institutions in Zamfara.