In a statement issued Thursday and signed by Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide on behalf of the forum, the group described the situation as “unjust, discriminatory and unacceptable,” warning that the prolonged delay is undermining morale among nurses nationwide.
The Elegant Nurses Forum (ENF) has accused the Federal Government of discrimination and injustice over the alleged failure to pay January salaries of nurses in federal health institutions, despite reports that doctors and other hospital workers have received theirs.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide on behalf of the forum, the group described the development as “unjust, discriminatory and unacceptable,” warning that the delay is eroding morale among nurses nationwide.
According to the ENF, nurses in federal hospitals are yet to be paid their January salaries, even as other health professionals have reportedly been settled.
“This development is disturbing, unfair and discriminatory. It represents a serious act of injustice against a group of professionals who play one of the most critical roles in the healthcare system,” the statement read.
The forum emphasised that nurses are central to healthcare delivery, providing round-the-clock care, monitoring patients, administering treatments and responding to emergencies.
“Nurses are the backbone of patient care. Without nurses, there is no effective healthcare delivery,” the group stated.
The ENF further clarified that nurses are no longer members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and did not participate in the recent industrial actions that disrupted services in parts of the health sector.
During the strike period, the forum noted, nurses remained on duty and sustained operations in federal hospitals.
“While others withdrew their services, nurses continued caring for patients, preventing avoidable deaths and supporting all departments to keep the system from collapsing,” the statement added.
The group described the salary delay as particularly painful given what it termed the sacrifices made by nurses during the disruption.
“Paying some categories of health workers while leaving nurses unpaid is not only insensitive but a clear act of marginalisation and victimisation,” the forum said, stressing that salaries are earned entitlements, not favours.
The ENF warned that the delayed payments are causing financial hardship, emotional strain and declining morale among nurses who already work under demanding and high-risk conditions.
The forum outlined five key demands, including the immediate payment of all outstanding January salaries owed to nurses in federal health institutions.
It also called for equal and fair treatment of all healthcare workers, a transparent explanation from the relevant authorities regarding the delay, an end to what it described as the victimisation of nurses, and the implementation of sustainable administrative measures to prevent a recurrence.
The group urged the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Health and the management of federal health institutions to act swiftly to resolve the issue.
“Respect for nurses must go beyond words; it must be reflected in fair treatment and prompt payment of earned salaries,” the statement added.