The National Salaries, Wages and Income Commission (NSIWC) has approved an upward review of the annual uniform allowance for nurses in Federal Government employment, increasing it from N20,000 to N80,000 per annum.

The approval, which represents a 300 per cent increase from the previous rate, was contained in a memo by the commission stating that the new allowance would take effect from January 1, 2026.

In the memo signed by the Chairman of the NSIWC, Ekpo Nta, the commission conveyed approval for the implementation of the N80,000 uniform allowance for nurses working in federal hospitals, medical centres and clinics across ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

The memo, addressed to the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, was also copied to the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun; the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu; and the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako.

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It read in part, “I hereby convey approval for the implementation of the uniform allowance of N80,000 per annum for nurses in Federal hospitals, medical centres and clinics in MDAs through the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System with effect from 1st January 2026.

“Consequently, the allowance will no longer be paid from the overhead budget in order to streamline the payment with other regular allowances payable through IPPIS.”

In July 2025, the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) had described the N20,000 annual uniform allowance as grossly inadequate and insulting, calling for urgent reforms in the health sector. The association also demanded the creation of a Directorate of Nursing Services at the Federal Ministry of Health to be headed by a registered nurse.

The President of NANNM-Federal Health Institutions, Morakinyo-Olajide Rilwan, had earlier told journalists that the allowance regime was introduced without prior consultation with the union, despite its direct impact on nurses nationwide.

On July 14, 2025, the union issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, warning of a possible total shutdown of healthcare services if its demands were not met.

Among the demands were an upward review of shift allowance, adjustment of uniform allowance, a separate salary structure for nurses, increased core duty allowance, mass employment of nurses, and the establishment of a nursing department in the Federal Ministry of Health.

The nurses had also decried years of working under poor conditions, citing inadequate tools and equipment, including basic items such as gloves, which they said they endured without protest for several years.