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Nurses working under the Anambra State Government have criticised the leadership of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, the state chapter, for failing to advocate effectively for their rightful remuneration and benefits from the state government.
The aggrieved nurses on Monday stormed the Nurses House in Awka, demanding explanations from the NANNM leadership on why the state has yet to implement the new salary structure of 125% CONHESS for nurses, which was approved by the Federal Government and is already being implemented in some states.
The protesting nurses also questioned why a 15-day ultimatum issued to the state government in December 2024 over their poor welfare had been indefinitely postponed by NANNM, Anambra State.
The aggrieved nurses lamented that many of them had remained on the same salary grade for over 13 years without promotion, despite their crucial role in healthcare delivery, particularly amid the current harsh economic realities in the country.
Speaking to journalists anonymously for fear of victimisation, some of the nurses expressed frustration over the reluctance of NANNM to address their complaints, particularly the non-implementation of both the initial 100% CONHESS and the newly approved 125% CONHESS.
They regretted that most of the allowances under their salary structure were not being paid, despite the risks they faced daily in their duties.
One of the nurses said, “The reason why we are here is that for years now, nurses have been complaining internally. There is what we call CONHESS, a salary structure approved by the Federal Government for nurses. Many states have implemented it, but Anambra State has not.
“It is called 100% CONHESS, and later they added 25%, making it 125% CONHESS, yet Anambra has not implemented any of the salary structures.
“Inside this salary structure, we have allowances such as shift duty, teaching, hazard, rural posting allowances, and many others, but they are not being implemented. For instance, we have a hazard allowance of N30,000 and above, but the Anambra State government is paying only N3,000. Can you imagine?”
The nurses also highlighted staffing challenges in most public health facilities, stating that nurses often bear the full responsibility for day-to-day operations while other health professionals, who should be on duty, are frequently absent.
“We are usually exposed to risks at night when we are alone on duty, without even security personnel. We know that health service is teamwork. The doctors, the nurses, the lab scientists, the health attendants, the security men—all of them are supposed to be on call, but evidence has shown that only nurses are always on night shifts.
“We have met with the union and written several times to both the state and national NANNM, which prompted the 15-day ultimatum we gave the government in December 2024. After the ultimatum elapsed, we expected a positive result or a strike, but we got nothing from the leadership of the association in the state after waiting to hear from them.
“We are surprised to hear from them that they have issued a second ultimatum, which has no stipulated date for expiration. So, all these are the reasons why we are here to see the NANNM Chairman because these things are our rights, and it is the responsibility of our union to agitate for our rights, but it appears they are not ready to do so.”
Some staff nurses, who have remained on the same level for over 13 years without promotion, lamented the lack of deliberate efforts to review their conditions, accusing both the union and the government of neglecting their welfare.
“It is unfortunate and regrettable that instead of the government addressing our complaints, they are threatening us with sack, redeployment to remote areas, or other forms of victimization.
“Some of us have not been promoted because we are single-qualified. By this, we mean that we are either registered nurses or registered midwives, which places us on Grade Level 7 upon employment. Since we are not double-qualified—meaning both nurses and midwives—we are stuck at that grade level, with no promotion, nor are we given opportunities to acquire further certifications that would enable us to advance.
“The peanuts we are paid are not enough to support further studies. We are ever ready to continue giving our best in service to the people of Anambra, but it has become imperative for the state government to implement the due CONHESS and promote us accordingly, in line with the Civil Service Act.”
However, when contacted, the State Chairman of NANNM, Edith Onwuka, denied claims that the association had abandoned the nurses.
Onwuka explained that the ultimatum was postponed to allow room for negotiations between the association and the government, revealing that after the initial ultimatum, the government invited NANNM representatives for discussions with the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike.
She said, “In industrial disputes, you don’t jump from one directive to another. Now, the state government has given us the room to discuss and negotiate. If we disregard discussions with the government that employs us and proceed with a strike, the strike action cannot be fruitful.
“I have tried to explain to the nurses that even I am affected by the poor conditions they are complaining about because I also work for the government. It is a gradual process, and as long as the government is willing to meet us at the negotiation table, we should explore that option.
“Strike is the last option when every other measure has failed. The nurses are not the only ones affected; all health workers, including pharmacists and lab scientists, are also affected and are negotiating.”
Onwuka also addressed concerns about stagnation in career progression, attributing it to the Scheme of Service.
“We acknowledge that many nurses in the state have stagnated due to their qualifications. The issue is a matter of the Scheme of Service. I have also advised the nurses to further their education and become double-qualified personnel to avoid stagnation, as this is a requirement under the Scheme of Service.
“The union can only lobby for the scheme to be reviewed. It is the National Council on Establishment that determines the Scheme of Service, and there is a process for its review.”
