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 issued 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 accused the Ministry of Health and some of its parastatals of deliberately neglecting nurses’ career progression.
Yakubu described the non-conduct of promotion exercises as one of the major challenges facing nurses in the state, noting that it has severely affected morale and productivity within the health sector.
“The union will no longer tolerate delays that undermine the dignity and professional growth of nurses,” he said.
According to him, the association has resolved to escalate its response if the matter is not addressed promptly.
“We shall, in 2026, declare an 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 strike at the National Ear Care Centre, Kaduna, where nurses are protesting issues related to professional designation and salary placement.
Yakubu disclosed that the strike, now in its second week, has recorded full compliance.
He warned that failure by authorities to act swiftly could lead to a wider 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,” he added.
While acknowledging achievements recorded in 2025—particularly the approval and implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) 2024, which improved nurses’ welfare Yakubu stressed that salary increases alone are insufficient.
He maintained that promotions are a statutory right and a key driver of professional motivation, accusing some institutions of attempting to undermine the nursing profession and relegate nurses to subservient roles.
