In a major update published by The Punch, the Federal Government has officially approved a 300% hike in the annual uniform allowance for Nigerian nurses, raising the payment to N80,000 effective from January 2026. This move is part of a broader strategy to improve welfare in the health sector and stem the “Japa” syndrome—the mass exodus of medical professionals to the UK, US, and Canada.
The decision comes on the heels of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) suspending an 84-day nationwide strike. While the allowance increase is a win for the unions, the government is also looking at more holistic reforms, including updated cancer control roadmaps and better equipment distribution for primary health centers.
This development was also covered by Daily Post, which noted that “the allowance increase is a symbolic gesture of the government’s commitment to healthcare workers.” Tribune highlighted the human angle, quoting a nurse who said, “While N80,000 isn’t enough to solve all our problems, it shows the government is finally listening to the cries of the frontline workers.”
Echotitbits take: This is a classic “cooling” tactic to maintain industrial peace in the health sector. However, a uniform allowance won’t stop the brain drain alone. The real test will be whether the government can improve the actual working conditions and security of these nurses in rural areas.
Source: NigerianEye – nigerianeye.com/2026/02/fg-approves-300-increase-in-nurses.html, February 7, 2026
Photo credit: NigerianEye
