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Nurses in Kaduna State have issued a strong warning of a possible statewide strike over the persistent failure of authorities to conduct promotion exercises.
The warning was contained in a New Year address by the Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Kaduna State Council, Comrade Nurse Ishaku Yakubu, who expressed frustration over what he described as the deliberate neglect of nurses’ career progression by the Ministry of Health and some of its parastatals.
Yakubu said the non-conduct of promotion exercises has remained one of the major challenges facing nurses in the state, noting that the situation has negatively affected morale and productivity within the health system.
He stressed that the union would no longer tolerate delays that undermine the dignity and professional growth of nurses.
According to him, the union has resolved to escalate its response if the matter is not addressed.
“We shall, in 2026, declare industrial dispute with the state Ministry of Health and her parastatals that refuse to conduct promotion exercises as at when due,” Yakubu declared.
The promotion dispute comes amid an ongoing industrial action at the National Ear Care Centre, Kaduna, where nurses are on strike over issues relating to professional designation and salary placement. Yakubu disclosed that the strike, now in its second week, has recorded full compliance.
“The strike action is in its second week and it’s 100 per cent successful,” he said.
He warned that failure by authorities to act swiftly could lead to a broader shutdown of health facilities across the state.
“If that institution fails to do the needful in the shortest possible time, we shall be forced to call on other federal health institutions in the state and the entire state to join in the industrial action for solidarity,” Yakubu said.
While acknowledging achievements recorded in 2025, particularly the approval and implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) 2024, which improved nurses’ welfare, the NANNM chairman stressed that salary gains alone are not enough.
He maintained that promotions are a statutory right and a critical component of professional motivation, accusing some institutions of attempting to undermine the nursing profession and relegate nurses to subservient roles.
