Nigerian Nurses Forum Demands Probe Of Salary Delays, Intimidation Of 250 Midwives In Jigawa | Sahara Reporters

According to the complaint, the midwives were initially engaged under an arrangement associated with GAVI and received a monthly allowance of N70,000.

An umbrella body of Nigerian nurses, under aegis of Elegant Nurses Forum (ENF) has called for an urgent investigation into allegations of persistent salary delays, unexplained payment discrepancies, and the intimidation of approximately 250 Registered Community Midwives recruited by the Jigawa State government.

The Deputy National Coordinator, Akerele Ayodeji in a statement made available to SaharaReporters on behalf of ENF, said it received a complaint from the midwives, who were recruited in 2025 and deployed across Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities in all 27 Local Government Areas of the state.

According to the complaint, the midwives were initially engaged under an arrangement associated with GAVI and received a monthly allowance of N70,000.

However, payments were reportedly subjected to repeated delays, with instances where allowances were not received until the following month.

The affected midwives reportedly took industrial action after their concerns over delayed payments and other work-related challenges remained unresolved. Following interventions by relevant authorities, payments were eventually made, but the reported difficulties allegedly continued.

Of particular concern to the ENF is the subsequent transition of the workers into State Government appointments. In April 2026, the midwives were reportedly invited to the Civil Affairs Office, where they completed documentation and had their files opened in connection with their government appointments.

They were reportedly given expectations of improved remuneration, with figures of approximately N150,000 to N170,000 communicated to some of them.

Despite this, the complainants stated that the midwives subsequently received N70,000 again and were asked to remain patient.

The situation reportedly became more concerning in July 2026, when the affected workers allegedly received no salary despite having worked throughout the month. In August 2026, some reportedly received N111,000, while others received N122,000.

Given that their appointment letters reportedly place them on Grade Level 07, the affected midwives are seeking an official explanation for the variation in payment and clarification of the applicable salary structure.

The ENF described the questions as legitimate and deserving of transparent administrative clarification.

The complainants are Registered Community Midwives, trained health professionals providing maternal and community-based healthcare services.

The ENF noted that midwives play a critical role in reducing preventable maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality, particularly at the PHC level.

“Their professional responsibilities do not diminish because they work in PHC facilities or under community-based programmes. Where a government recruits, deploys and assigns health professionals to provide services, there must be corresponding responsibility to ensure that their employment conditions, remuneration and welfare are administered transparently and in accordance with applicable rules,” the statement said.

The complainants further reported that after a formal written complaint was submitted to the Jigawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency through the Director of Human Resources/Administration, some affected midwives allegedly received threats.

“If workers are genuinely being threatened or intimidated because they raised concerns regarding unpaid salaries or requested clarification of their employment conditions, such conduct would undermine confidence in the mechanisms established for resolving legitimate workplace grievances.

“We therefore call for the allegation of threats to be independently investigated and for affected workers to be protected from retaliation while the matter is being addressed,” the ENF said.

The ENF called on the relevant authorities in Jigawa State to immediately investigate the reported non-payment of the July 2026 salaries of the affected midwives and ensure that all verified outstanding salaries and legitimate entitlements are paid without further unnecessary delay.

It also demanded a clear written explanation of the salary structure applicable to the affected midwives, particularly in view of the reported Grade Level 07 appointments, and an explanation of the differences between the reported N111,000 and N122,000 payments received by workers reportedly holding the same grade level.

The forum further demanded clarification on the status and implementation of the government appointment letters issued to the midwives, including their effective dates, grade levels, salary structure, and applicable conditions of service.

It also called for a comprehensive reconciliation of the payroll records of the affected midwives from the commencement of their engagement to date, identifying all payments made, outstanding balances, deductions, and arrears.

The ENF demanded an investigation into the allegation of threats or intimidation against midwives who participated in raising the complaint and ensure that no worker suffers retaliation for making a legitimate complaint through established administrative channels.

It also urged the establishment of a transparent mechanism for resolving future salary and employment-related complaints involving these midwives, with clear communication between the workers and the relevant government agencies.

The forum called for the engagement of representatives of the affected midwives in a formal dialogue to resolve the outstanding issues and prevent further disruption of essential Primary Health Care services.

“The ENF is not asking for preferential treatment for these midwives. We are asking for clarity, accountability, fairness and the timely payment of workers for services rendered. The midwives have indicated their willingness to provide appointment letters, payment records, copies of their formal complaint and other relevant documentation to facilitate proper investigation,” the statement said.

“We therefore urge the Jigawa State Government, the Jigawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency and other relevant authorities to treat this matter with the urgency it deserves. Primary Health Care facilities cannot function effectively when the welfare and employment concerns of the professionals delivering essential services remain unresolved.”