Anambra nurses, union clash over delayed FG salary structure

Nurses employed by the Anambra State Government have criticised the leadership of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Anambra State chapter, for allegedly failing to advocate effectively for their rights and improved remuneration.

The aggrieved nurses staged a protest at the Nurses House in Awka on Monday, expressing frustration over the state government’s refusal to implement the new 125% Consolidated Health Salary Structure approved by the Federal Government and already adopted by some states.

The protesters also questioned why NANNM-Anambra had shifted a 15-day ultimatum issued to the state government in December 2024 to an indefinite date, despite no progress in addressing their grievances.

They lamented stagnation in their careers, with some nurses remaining on the same level for over 13 years despite their critical role in healthcare delivery amid economic hardship.

Speaking anonymously to journalists for fear of victimisation, some nurses recounted their unsuccessful attempts to get the NANNM leadership to act on their complaints.

They decried the state’s failure to implement even the initial 100% CONHESS, let alone the newly approved 125% structure.

“The reason for this protest is that nurses in Anambra have been complaining for years. The Federal Government approved the CONHESS salary structure, and while many states have implemented it, Anambra has not.

“The structure includes allowances such as shift duty, teaching, hazard, and rural posting allowances, yet these are not being paid. For example, our hazard allowance is supposed to be over N30,000, but the state government pays only N3,000,” one protester stated.

The nurses further revealed that in many public health facilities, they are left to handle all operations, while other health professionals who should be on duty frequently fail to show up.

“At night, we are alone on duty, without even security personnel. Health service is teamwork, involving doctors, lab scientists, attendants, and security, yet only nurses are consistently on night shifts.”

The protesters criticised the lack of follow-through after the 15-day ultimatum issued in December.

“After the ultimatum, we expected results or at least a strike action, but instead, the union issued another ultimatum without a fixed expiration date. It appears our leadership is unwilling to fight for our rights,” another nurse said.

Many staff nurses lamented that their lack of promotion was linked to being single-qualified—either as registered nurses or midwives—without dual certification.

They accused the government and union of neglecting their career progression while also failing to provide opportunities for further education.

“Some of us have remained at the same level for over 13 years. We are placed on Grade Level 7 because we are single-qualified, but we are neither promoted nor given the chance to upgrade our qualifications. Meanwhile, the meager salaries we receive make further studies difficult,” a protester added.

The nurses warned that their dedication to healthcare in Anambra should not be mistaken for weakness and called on the state government to implement the CONHESS salary structure and grant overdue promotions in line with the Civil Service Act.

Responding to the protest, the NANNM-Anambra State Chairman, Edith Onwuka, denied allegations of neglect, explaining that the ultimatum was postponed to allow negotiations with the state government.

“In industrial disputes, you don’t jump into strike action immediately. After the ultimatum, the government invited us for discussions with the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike. If we disregard that and go on strike, it may not yield results,” Onwuka said.

She acknowledged that many nurses in the state have stagnated due to their qualifications and advised them to pursue further education to meet the criteria for promotion.

“This is a matter of the Scheme of Service. Nurses need to upgrade their qualifications to avoid stagnation. The union can only lobby for a review, but the National Council on Establishment determines the Scheme of Service,” she added.

While urging patience, Onwuka assured the nurses that negotiations with the government were ongoing and that the union remained committed to their welfare.