Health Sector Crisis: NANNM Sounds Alarm Over Outdated Payroll Systems, Poor Staff Welfare

By Omoyeni Ojeifo

Some health institutions administrators are facing allegations of payroll fraud for allegedly retaining the names of migrated nurses on their books to siphon government funds.

The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) warned that this “ghost worker” practice is severely distorting staffing data across the health sector.

Speaking at the 2026 International Nurses Day in Abuja on Tuesday, covered by Persecondews, NANNM Deputy National President, Comrade Obasi Bornless, condemned the trend as a symptom of failing administrative oversight.

He revealed that personnel who have long since moved abroad are still being included in official payrolls and even recommended for promotions.

“Even those that have travelled long ago, their names still reappear during promotions, meaning they are not replaced. They are there as ghost workers while managements keep collecting their salaries,” he alleged.

Obasi called for urgent reforms to sanitize the system and ensure proper replacement of departed health workers in line with actual staffing needs.

He also stressed the need for fair recruitment practices and stronger accountability in payroll management across health institutions.

According to him, while training institutions continue to produce qualified nurses annually, poor coordination in recruitment and deployment remains a major challenge in the sector.

He urged government to strengthen oversight mechanisms and ensure that available health workers are properly absorbed into the system to improve service delivery.

Also speaking, the National Treasurer of NANNM, Mercy Laraba Lenka, called for improved welfare, better training, and stronger support systems for nurses to enhance healthcare delivery.

“We need government presence. We need to feel that we are carried along, that we are loved, and that the skill we render is very important,” she said.

She warned that poor remuneration and harsh working conditions continue to push nurses out of the country.

“You cannot work for years and still have nothing to show for it. This is why many nurses are leaving,” she said.

For many nurses, the workplace has become a danger zone. Lenka warned that the threat of kidnapping is driving more professionals abroad, stating: “Even at work, we aren’t safe. Our families need us alive.”

Her solution for the government is clear: “If they want to stop the migration, they must prioritize the safety of health workers and provide competitive incentives, including housing and transportation packages.”

“If government invests in our welfare and training, it will reduce the movement of nurses abroad,” she added.

The association urged authorities to prioritize reforms in staffing and payroll management to improve efficiency in the health sector.

Persecondnews reports that the event attracted nurses, midwives, and key stakeholders in the health sector.