The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives-Federal Health Institutions Sector has urged the Federal Government to prioritise the employment of more nurses to bridge the gap caused by brain drain.
They lamented that the migration of nurses and midwives is creating staff shortages and leading to burnout among those still in service.
The nurses made the call in a communique issued at the end of their National Executive Council meeting of the association held on 18-19th April, 2026, at the Trauma Centre, National Hospital, Abuja.
The communique, which was made available to PUNCH Healthwise on Monday, was signed by NANNM-FHI National Chairman, Morakinyo Rilwan, and NANNM-FHI National Secretary, Osinachi Agatha.
Part of the resolution after the extensive deliberations at the NEC meeting include need for the government to employ more nurses.
“The NEC expressed concern over the migration of Nigerian nurses and midwives, driven by unfavourable working conditions, hard economy, and urged the government to prioritise the employment of more nurses to address critical staffing gaps to reduce burnout among the existing working force.
“NEC urges the Government to increase investment in health infrastructure, equipment, and digital health tools necessary to support the seamless delivery of nursing care,” the communique read in part.
While commending nurses who braved the odds to provide emergency care to injured victims of insurgency attacks in Plateau and Borno States, the NEC urged the FG to ensure the safety of all citizens by finding a lasting solution to the incessant terrorist attacks in the country.
The NEC commended the FG for the resumption of Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiation and urged the government to consider all outstanding requests by nurses and midwives.
The NEC also raised concerns over what it described as the irregularities in payment of salaries, 3rd party deductions, and check-off dues remittance by IPPIS.
“NEC hereby called on the Accountant General of the Federation for correction of various anomalies for prompt refund of all unremitted deductions to the respective association and payment of omitted allowances in the January 2026 salary of Nurses in Federal Health Institutions without further delay,” the communique added.
The NEC also urged the FG to facilitate the payment of all arrears of recently approved and implemented professional allowance, implementation of the payment of the N80,000 approved uniform allowance for nurses.
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