The Elegant Nurses Forum (ENF) has condemned the suspension of the Chairperson of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Kaduna, describing the action as an act of victimisation aimed at silencing a union leader advocating for the welfare of nurses.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide, the forum called for the immediate withdrawal of the suspension and the unconditional reinstatement of the union chairperson.
According to Olamide, the hospital’s Chief Medical Director suspended the NANNM chairperson over allegations that she provided temporary accommodation to stranded nursing students, an explanation the forum described as “unreasonable and unbelievable.”
He argued that healthcare professionals often assist colleagues in similar circumstances without facing disciplinary action, alleging that the punishment was selective and intended to suppress union activities.
The forum claimed that the suspension was in retaliation for the chairperson’s role in championing improved welfare and working conditions for nurses in the hospital.
According to the statement, the industrial dispute stemmed from several unresolved issues, including the employment of registered nurses on CONHESS 6 instead of the approved CONHESS 7 salary grade, exclusion of the Head of the Nursing Department from the hospital’s top management committee, lack of a dedicated changing room for nurses, and the removal of the Principal Nursing Officer cadre from the approved nursing scheme of service.
Other concerns raised included the alleged employment of unlicensed nurses, engagement of non-nurses to perform duties reserved for registered nurses, inconsistent salary placements for nurses with similar qualifications, non-payment of uniform allowances, and alleged attempts to undermine lawful union activities.
The ENF said nurses at the hospital reportedly embarked on a strike lasting about 108 days while demanding implementation of the approved nursing scheme of service, proper salary placement, payment of uniform allowances, promotion of stagnated nurses and other welfare benefits.
Rather than addressing those concerns, the forum alleged, hospital management resorted to intimidating union leaders.
The forum also expressed concern over reports that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) intervened during the industrial dispute in a manner perceived by nurses as coercive and favourable to management.
It argued that security agencies should not be used to suppress lawful trade union activities or compel workers to abandon legitimate industrial actions.
Citing Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the ENF said Nigerian workers have constitutionally guaranteed rights to freedom of expression and association, including the right to belong to trade unions.
The group also referenced International Labour Organization Conventions 87 and 98, as well as Articles 20 and 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which protect freedom of association and collective bargaining.
According to the forum, victimising a union leader for carrying out legitimate union responsibilities is inconsistent with Nigeria’s domestic laws and international obligations.
The ENF called on the hospital management to immediately reinstate the suspended chairperson, end all forms of intimidation and harassment of nurses and union leaders, implement the approved nursing scheme of service, place registered nurses on the approved CONHESS 7 salary scale, promote eligible nurses, pay outstanding uniform allowances, include the Head of Nursing Department in the hospital’s top management committee, and investigate allegations involving the employment of unlicensed nurses and the engagement of non-nurses to perform duties reserved for registered nurses.
The forum further urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), labour unions, civil society organisations, human rights groups and professional bodies to intervene, warning that the suppression of one union could threaten the rights of workers across other sectors.
It also called on nurses nationwide to remain united and continue defending their professional rights through lawful means.
