The Federal Government has approved the 2025 National Industrial Relations Policy (NIRP) aimed at fostering harmony in the workplace and curbing incessant industrial actions across the country.
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The approval came as the government confirmed that it had withdrawn the controversial circular issued by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, which triggered the ongoing strike by nurses and midwives. Talks with the striking workers are expected to resume today.
The approval of the new policy was announced on Wednesday during a press briefing at the State House, Abuja, after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the NIRP will serve as a comprehensive framework to regulate the activities of trade unions and guide the conduct of employers and employees.
“This policy is essential for regulating the conduct of various trade unions within the industrial relations space,” Idris said. “It promotes social dialogue, tripartite cooperation among government, employers, and workers, and aligns Nigeria’s practices with global standards, especially those of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).”
He added that while Nigeria already has laws governing industrial relations, their implementation has often fallen short, necessitating a policy-based approach to enforce accountability and consistency.
Addressing concerns in the health sector, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said the withdrawn circular had caused significant unrest among professional groups. “We’re currently negotiating revised allowances transparently,” he said, noting that not all issues were financial.
“We are also resolving matters such as the centralisation of nurses’ postings. The government is committed to ensuring that health workers are respected and supported,” Pate added.
Meanwhile, the warning strike by the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Federal Health Institutions Sector (NANNM-FHI), has entered its third day. Nurses and midwives are demanding improved welfare packages and better working conditions.
National Chairman of NANNM-FHI, Morakinyo-Olajide Rilwan, said the union would not suspend the strike without concrete action from the government. “We must see commitment. Some of our demands must be met before we consider suspending the strike,” he said.
He explained that past meetings with government representatives had yielded no binding agreements and emphasized the need for a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) before any suspension.
“It is not in nurses’ nature to go on strike, but this is our last resort after prolonged patience. We love our patients, but the government must act,” Rilwan stated.
Although NANNM met with Labour Minister Muhammadu Dingyadi on Wednesday, the talks ended in a deadlock due to the absence of key officials including the Minister of Health and the Head of Civil Service.
In a related development, Organised Labour has vowed to resist any attempt by government or external actors to sow division between the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
TUC President, Festus Osifo, represented by Secretary-General Dr. Nuhu Toro, said: “We believe in solidarity and collective action. Any divide-and-rule tactic by management or government will be resisted.”
Similarly, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, accused the government of interfering in trade union affairs. He described such interference as “unheard of” globally and said the ILO was closely monitoring Nigeria’s labour practices.
Ajaero also criticised the government’s handling of workers’ funds, particularly in the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and National Pension Commission (PenCom).
The government has pledged to continue negotiations today in line with President Tinubu’s directive for ongoing engagement with striking health workers to ensure lasting peace in the sector.
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