Federal Government and Nurses’ Union Forge Landmark Agreement on Service Scheme and Job Quotas
The Federal Government of Nigeria has brokered a comprehensive new agreement with the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), marking a pivotal moment for the nation’s healthcare workforce. The breakthrough deal includes commitments to formally gazette the long-awaited Nurses’ Scheme of Service, centralize internship postings starting from 2026, and reserve a substantial 60% of job quotas specifically for nurses within federal tertiary hospitals.
A Framework for Progress: Eight Key Resolutions
In an official statement released on Wednesday by Elder Otaru Daniel Shajibu, the association’s Deputy General Secretary, NANNM detailed the eight critical resolutions achieved during intensive negotiations with government representatives. These agreements represent the most significant advancement for nursing professionals in recent years, addressing systemic issues that have persisted within the healthcare sector.
The gazetting of the Scheme of Service for Nurses and Midwives, which has been in development since its initial approval in 2016, has now reached an advanced stage of completion. According to the association’s statement, “The Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation has been directed to expedite action with a clear deadline set for upper Friday to submit the final draft to the user ministry.” This bureaucratic milestone, while technical in nature, carries profound implications for career structure and professional recognition within Nigeria’s public health system.
Legal Interpretation and Implementation Pathway
The Ministry of Justice has completed its interpretation of a relevant court judgment and formally handed this legal guidance to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. This ministry will subsequently forward the interpretation to NANNM for necessary action, creating a clear pathway for implementation of the agreed terms. This legal scaffolding ensures that the agreements are grounded in proper statutory authority rather than remaining as mere administrative promises.
Financial Recognition: Upward Review of Allowances
One of the most pressing concerns for nursing professionals—adequate compensation for their demanding work—has received substantial attention in the new agreement. The Federal Government has committed to an upward review of professional allowances, with the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission already working conscientiously on the necessary adjustments.
The association’s statement emphasized that “nurses have long pressed for fairer compensation to reflect the demands of the profession,” highlighting the years of advocacy that preceded this breakthrough. The financial component of the agreement acknowledges not just the essential nature of nursing work, but the specialized skills and extraordinary dedication required in what remains a severely understaffed sector.
Centralized Internship Placement System
On the critical matter of internship placements, NANNM confirmed that the Federal Government has expressly approved the centralization of postings for nurses and midwives. This systemic reform, however, will not take effect immediately due to budgetary considerations. The statement clarified that “This awaits commencement in 2026 as it will be factored into the 2026 budgetary provision. The circular on this approval is being awaited from the Federal Ministry of Health by NANNM.”
The centralized system promises to bring much-needed structure and fairness to the placement process, eliminating inconsistencies and potential favoritism that have characterized the current decentralized approach. For nursing graduates, this represents a more predictable and transparent pathway into the profession.
Institutional Representation and Consultancy Status
Beyond immediate practical concerns, the agreement addresses broader issues of professional recognition and representation. The Federal Government has assured the association of fair representation in the board membership of tertiary health institutions once these boards are constituted. This commitment signals a recognition that nursing perspectives must be included in high-level decision-making processes within healthcare institutions.
Perhaps even more significantly, the association highlighted ongoing collaborative efforts with the West African College of Nursing to secure consultancy status for nurses and midwives. This professional elevation would place nursing on par with other medical specialties in terms of recognition and career advancement opportunities. The proposal has already reached the Technical Committee of the National Council on Establishment (NCE), indicating substantial progress toward this transformative goal.
Regulatory Urgency: Council Board Constitution
On regulatory matters, NANNM emphasized the urgent need for the constitution of the Nursing and Midwifery Council board, which has not yet been established. The absence of this regulatory body has created challenges in standardizing practices and advancing the profession’s interests. The association’s push for its constitution underscores the importance of self-regulation and professional autonomy within the nursing field.
The 60% Job Quota Directive: A Game Changer for Employment
Among the most dramatic provisions in the agreement is the Federal Government’s directive that nurses should receive 60% of job quotas in federal tertiary health institutions. The association’s statement revealed that “The meeting was reliably informed that the Federal Government has given a waiver to over 36 Federal Tertiary Health Institutions and directed that nurses should take 60% quota for employment in each hospital.”
This unprecedented allocation reflects the critical shortage of nursing professionals across Nigeria’s healthcare system and represents a deliberate strategy to prioritize nursing recruitment. The association noted they are awaiting the official circular on this directive, which would provide the formal mechanism for implementation.
Building on Previous Agreements
These new developments build upon earlier agreements reached between the Federal Government and NANNM. On August 1, 2025, both parties had signed a 7-point agreement at a reconciliation meeting convened by Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Labour and Employment. That initial agreement included several key provisions:
The government pledged to gazette the Nurses’ Scheme of Service within four weeks, assigning follow-up responsibilities to the Director of Nursing and NANNM’s Secretary General. The scheme outlines the career structure and professional framework for nurses, offering long-awaited clarity and recognition within the public service.
Additionally, the agreement covered professional allowances, with the Federal Government approving a 30% consolidated shift duty allowance, a 20% annual specialist allowance, and an upward review of uniform allowance to N300,000 per annum. A 4% consolidated call duty allowance, 35% teaching allowance, as well as new allowances for excess workload, burnout, and retention were also included.
Acknowledgment and Continued Vigilance
NANNM has described these outcomes as significant milestones but stressed that continuous engagement with government would be required to ensure full implementation. The association commended its members for their support and urged them to remain steadfast as the Collective Bargaining Agreement process continues.
The series of agreements represent perhaps the most comprehensive advancement for nursing professionals in Nigeria’s history. However, the true measure of success will lie in the faithful implementation of these commitments. For a profession that has long operated under challenging conditions with inadequate recognition, these developments offer hope for a transformed professional landscape that properly values the critical contributions of nurses to Nigeria’s healthcare system.
As the implementation process unfolds, stakeholders across the healthcare sector will be watching closely to ensure that these hard-won agreements translate into tangible improvements for nursing professionals and, by extension, for the quality of healthcare delivery nationwide.
Full credit to the original publisher: Nairametrics – https://nairametrics.com/2025/09/03/fg-nurses-union-reach-fresh-agreement-on-service-scheme-reserve-60-job-quota/