Nurses in Federal Hospitals to Receive ₦80,000 Yearly Uniform Allowance Under New Pay Review

Nurses working in federal health institutions will begin receiving a significantly higher annual clothing and kit stipend following a new government approval that raises the allowance from ₦20,000 to ₦80,000 starting January 2026.

The adjustment was authorized by the National Salaries, Wages and Income Commission as part of a broader review of welfare packages for healthcare personnel. The new rate represents a major jump from the previous amount and signals a shift in how uniform-related expenses for nurses are handled at the federal level.

The decision follows months of advocacy by the national nurses’ union, which had argued that the former allowance did not reflect current costs or the demands of the profession. Union leaders had pushed for multiple reforms, including better compensation structures and stronger institutional recognition for nursing services.

Under the updated arrangement, payments will now be processed through the federal payroll platform rather than drawn from overhead budgets, aligning the stipend with other routine allowances received by government employees.

Health sector observers say the increase could help calm labour tensions and improve morale among nursing staff, while also serving as an acknowledgment of their frontline role in public healthcare delivery.