Nurses Midwives have highlighted better work environments and pay as key goals for 2026, expressing concern that the healthcare field experienced more challenges than advancements in 2025.
Experts, working under the guidance of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, stated that immediate changes must be implemented to prevent an even worse situation in the healthcare system by 2026.
Reviewing the industry, they mentioned that governmental interaction with nurses and midwives in 2025 was mostly disheartening, showing minimal signs of real progress in terms of well-being or job circumstances.
In an exclusive conversation with PUNCH Healthwise about the current status of the sector, Morakinyo Rilwan, the National Chairman of NANNM – Federal Health Institutions Sector, stated that ongoing developments within the industry continue to have adverse effects on nurses and midwives, who play a crucial role in delivering services at healthcare institutions.
From his viewpoint, regarding the stance of nurses and midwives, and more broadly concerning the government's involvement with the field, the circumstances have remained discouraging.
"Looking at the general condition of healthcare and its impact on nurses and midwives, what we've observed throughout the year is more obstacles and difficulties rather than advancement," he stated.
Rilwan stated that the challenges facing the field cover key areas that significantly impact efficiency and the quality of medical treatment.
"These issues span training and reskilling, pay, terms of employment, and the absence of an encouraging work atmosphere," he said.
The head of the NANNM–FHI national chapter stated that these problems have continued even with ongoing attempts to interact with officials and enhance practices in the field.
"These are challenges that nurses and midwives have faced all year long while trying to enhance their field, but the reality is that only the government has the power to properly tackle these matters," Rilwan stated.
Although faced with difficulties, he mentioned that nurses and midwives have kept performing their responsibilities according to ethical standards, putting patients first even in tough situations.
The president of the NANNM–FHI national organization stated that this feeling of duty explains why strikes have traditionally been uncommon among nursing professionals, although extended difficulties have led to necessary protests.
According to PUNCH Healthwise, the experiences of nurses and midwives throughout the nation resulted in a national strike during July 2025. Throughout this period of industrial action, healthcare institutions across Nigeria faced substantial interruptions in their medical services, causing hospital operations to be severely affected for four days.
The strike, beginning on July 30, 2025, and scheduled to last seven days, was canceled on August 2, 2025, following discussions between the nursing leaders and the federal government group.
But speaking on government response, Rilwan accused the government and other stakeholders of focusing on policies that fail to address the core problems facing nurses and midwives.”
“This approach amounts to mere window dressing. Policies are announced, agreements are signed, but there is little or no implementation. For example, agreements reached between nurses and the government have been signed, yet nothing has changed on the ground,” he said.
Rilwan also disputed the common assertion of a countrywide nursing deficit, calling it an inaccurate portrayal.
"The story about a 'nurse shortage' persists, despite the fact that the real problem lies in underutilization and inadequate integration within the system," he stated.
The head of the National Association of Nurses and Midwives – Federation of Health Institutions emphasized that numerous qualified nurses continue to be without jobs, even as hospitals struggle to fill positions left vacant due to retirement or emigration.
Numerous qualified nurses remain unemployed, and healthcare facilities fail to replenish positions vacated due to retirement or emigration," he stated. "Hospital administrators and overseeing government departments frequently assign responsibility elsewhere, with little actual action taken.
Looking back at 2025, Rilwan mentioned that work environments remained challenging, pointing to insufficient supplies and limited organizational backing.
"Over the course of the year, conditions have not been favorable. Healthcare professionals have been dealing with scarce supplies in difficult working settings, along with low pay and insufficient assistance," he stated.
He also criticized the efficiency of government interaction platforms, expressing frustration over numerous meetings with no tangible results.
"For example, the negotiation committee has convened approximately 13 times without achieving significant progress. This prompts doubts regarding the role of these groups, since ongoing sessions without results merely postpone necessary decisions," he said.
In anticipation of 2026, the National Chairman of NANNM–FHI expressed that nurses and midwives remain optimistic about potential shifts in governmental policies.
He faulted disparities in salary adjustments within the health sector, calling for fairness and transparency in compensation.
“It is unfair that some salary structures are adjusted while others are left behind. If the government wants to introduce a unified salary scale, it should be done transparently, with everyone paid according to their roles and inputs,” they said.
Rilwan highlighted that every healthcare worker plays a vital role in the system and must not be pitted against each other.
"Each individual within the healthcare field plays a vital role, including physicians, nursing staff, lab technicians, data clerks, custodians, and more. No single person can replace another's responsibilities, and no particular team should receive preferential treatment over others," he further stated.
Highlighting the aspirations of nurses and midwives for 2026, Rilwan emphasized the importance of genuine efforts from governmental bodies and actionable measures to tackle the reasons causing healthcare workers to leave the nation.
According to PUNCH Healthwise, at least 16,156 nurses and midwives trained in Nigeria have obtained licenses to work in the UK from 2017 up until September 30, 2025.
This statistic comes from the most recent information available on the UK's Nursing and Midwifery Council registry, which was accessed solely by one of our reporters.
Nevertheless, Rilwan called on the government to focus on enhancing workplace conditions and providing equitable pay as the basis for keeping medical staff.
Workplace conditions are important. Pay is also significant. These are the fundamental factors that drive individuals to seek opportunities abroad. We're discussing just two straightforward elements: workplace environment and compensation. Anything beyond that isn’t particularly extraordinary.
It is well-known what is driving people away. We require favorable work conditions and fair pay. Regrettably, numerous politicians and individuals placed in leadership roles present themselves as top medical officers and managers, yet their sole aim is personal gain. They show no concern for what occurs within the hospitals.
"Therefore, the necessary changes are simple. Improving access and infrastructure is essential," he stated.
Supplied by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
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