Nurses’ Strike: “We’ve Given the Government Enough Time, No Action Taken,” Says Union Leader

By Emmanuel Kwada

Healthcare services across Nigeria’s federal hospitals have ground to a halt as the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives – Federal Health Institutions Sector (NANNM-FHI) launched a seven-day nationwide warning strike on Wednesday, July 30.

The strike, affecting 74 federal hospitals, teaching hospitals, medical centers, and primary healthcare facilities, comes after the Federal Government failed to address the union’s demands following a 15-day ultimatum issued on July 14, 2025.

“We’ve given the government sufficient time to respond to our demands, but no action has been taken,” declared Morakinyo-Olajide Rilwan, National Chairman of NANNM-FHI, during a press briefing on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily.

“For over 40 years, nurses have been patient, working without adequate equipment or fair compensation. The government had 15 days to negotiate, but they’ve shown no sensitivity to the welfare of the masses or our members.”

We’ve given the government sufficient time to respond to our demands, but no action has been taken

The union’s grievances include inadequate remuneration, unpaid allowances, severe staff shortages, and unsafe working conditions. NANNM is also demanding the establishment of a Department of Nursing within the Federal Ministry of Health, fair representation on health institution boards, centralized internship postings for graduate nurses, and the recognition of nurses and midwives as consultants.

Additionally, the union has called for the withdrawal of a June 27 circular from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, which they described as “grossly inadequate and discriminatory.”

For over 40 years, nurses have been patient, working without adequate equipment or fair compensation

The strike has caused widespread disruption, with hospitals in Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, and Yenagoa reporting empty wards, discharged patients, and stranded caregivers. At the Federal Medical Centre in Abuja, long queues formed at outpatient departments as patients waited hours for limited services, with no nurses on duty.

“I’ve been here since 8 a.m., and no one has attended to my son’s medication needs,” said Edmond Nwoye, a caregiver at Maitama District Hospital, where the absence of nurses has slowed operations to a crawl.

In Ibadan, Adeoyo State Hospital discharged most patients, leaving only those in critical condition unattended in wards. In Yenagoa, the Federal Medical Centre saw patients wandering without care, as union leaders enforced a total withdrawal of services. “This is a complete shutdown. No skeletal services will be provided,” said Liberia Progress, NANNM Chairman at FMC Yenagoa.

This is a complete shutdown. No skeletal services will be provided

The Federal Government, through the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, appealed to NANNM to halt the strike and return to negotiations, emphasizing that “strike action is not the best solution to industrial disputes.”

However, Rilwan dismissed the plea, stating, “Even if the government calls today or tomorrow, the strike will continue. The members initiated this action, and they’re ready to face consequences like ‘no work, no pay’ because their salaries are already insufficient.”

The union highlighted the critical role nurses play, forming nearly 60% of Nigeria’s healthcare workforce, and warned that the strike’s impact could paralyze emergency care, surgeries, maternity services, and chronic illness management. With over 42,000 nurses having left Nigeria for opportunities abroad in the past three years, NANNM stressed the urgency of addressing staff shortages and improving conditions to curb the brain drain.

Even if the government calls today or tomorrow, the strike will continue. The members initiated this action, and they’re ready to face consequences like ‘no work, no pay’ because their salaries are already insufficient

NANNM has signaled that this warning strike, set to end on August 5, 2025, could escalate to an indefinite strike if demands remain unmet. “After this, we’ll issue a 21-day notice as required by labor laws. If there’s no progress, we’ll have no choice but to shut down indefinitely,” Rilwan warned.

As hospitals turn away patients and the government scrambles to respond, the nation braces for a deepening healthcare crisis.