ABOUT NANNM

National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives is a Professional Cum Trade Union Organisation recognized by the Trade Union (Amendment) Act of 2005.  It is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation authorized to organize all Professional Nurses and Midwives, trained, registered and licensed to practice Nursing Profession at all the levels of Health care –primary, secondary and tertiary including  the private sector in Nigeria.

Background: or Hxcal Backdrop.

There was emergence of multiple trade unions between 1950 – 1970, but in 1978, the General Olusegun Obasanjo administration restructed the unions into 42 and merged the different factions of the Nigeria Labour movement into one central Labour Organisation called: THE NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS”

The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) was one of the forty-two (42) restructured unions which were again restructed to twenty-nine (29) unions in 1996 with National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives still remaining as the only professional body responsible for the welfare of Nurses and Midwives.

Before this time, the first organization of Nurses in Nigeria was the Nigeria union of Nurses (NUN) formed in 1938 and registered in 1943, led by one Mr. Kuti, a nurse as honorary secretary General. Due to some serious developments in the lndustrial relations system in the period under the colonial rule, the leadership of the union invited one of the leading figures on the lndustrial scene, the late Nathaniel Cole in 1944 to become the first appointed General Secretary.   He could however, not take up the appointment until 1948.  Mr. Cole was later joined  by Mr. S.S. Okezie a nurse.  They were later joined by Mr. Ayoola Adeleke now Alhaji (Hon) Yinusa Kaltungo who served in the Northern zone while Mr. Clement Njoku served in the western zone.

Mr. M.A. Olabode, later became the Secretary for the western zone in 1966.

Along the line, a new dimension had been introduced into the system. 

In 1957, an organisation known as the Professional Association of Trained Nurses of Nigeria.  (PATNON) was formed at the University College Hospital (U.C.H) lbadan, by a small group of Nurses trained at the United Kingdom and later at the University College hospital (U.C.H) lbadan.  The system became polarized as each group claimed to represent the Nurses and as such were presenting divergent views on issues of paramount interest to the Nurses and the profession.  The united kingdom Nurses, though few in number, occupied very strategic positions in the profession and by virtue of that, were very vocal.  This same year, PATNON changed its name to the “Nigeria Nurses Association (NNA).

There were other  mushroom Associations, which sprung up due to the prevailing situation at that time.  These were:

1.    The Professional  Association of Trained Midwives of Nigeria (PAMON).]

2.    The Nigeria Association of Nurse Tutors (NANT)

3.    Professional Health visitors of Nigeria.

4.    Nigeria lndustrial Nurses Association.

5.    Guild of Registered Nurses of Nigeria.

6.    Community Nurses Association of Nigeria.

Given the above scenario, there was obvious dis-unity amongst the Nurses which became more pronounced in the Udoji award of 1976 as Nurses sang discordant tones on issues of common interest.

The huge loss in the Udoji award opened their eyes and then became the unifying factor. This scenario forced the Nurses and Midwives to unite under one umbrella, and so the 8^th of December 1977 at the city hall, Lagos, the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives was inaugurated with Mrs. Hannatu Omole as the President and Mrs. Julie Omigbo as the Deputy President.  In  February 1978, Mr. M.A. Olabode, was appointed Executive General Secretary.  Then the promulgation of Trade Union amendment decree of 1978 further cemented the unification of the Nurses.

To ensure that National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives remains a formidable organization, the interest of the various component professionals are entrenched into the constitution.

For instance, areas of specialization, within the profession have representatives in the National Executive Council (N.E.C.) such as Ophthalmic, Nurse Anaesthetists, Nurse Educators, Orthopaedic, Public Health, Psychiatric, Peri-operative Nurses, Nurse Administrators, Professional Association of Midwives of Nigeria, Private Nurses Association, and any other group registered by Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.

The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives believes in activities which will bring about positive changes required in making Nursing Profession more responsive to health need of individuals, families and communities.  It is the  belief of the Association that the broad interest of its members should be protected and well represented before contemporary professions, employers and the public at large.

the  Association believes  in continuing education of the Nurses and Nursing research as a major way of attaining perfection in Nursing practice.  The Association believes in promoting unity, co-operation and understanding among its members and other working class organizations, generally.