Nurses under the aegis of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives – Federal Health Institutions Sector (NANNM-FHI) have commenced a seven-day nationwide warning strike, defying the Federal Government’s silence on their demands.
The strike, which began on Wednesday, follows a 15-day ultimatum issued on July 14, 2025, demanding urgent government action to avert a collapse in the federal healthcare system. Despite the window for dialogue, the union said the government failed to initiate any communication.
Speaking with journalists on Tuesday, NANNM-FHI National Chairman, Morakinyo Rilwan, confirmed the strike had commenced and vowed it would run its full course regardless of any late attempts by the government to initiate talks.
“As far as we are concerned, there has been no communication from the government to this moment,” Rilwan said. “Even if the government calls today or tomorrow, it won’t stop the strike. They had enough time—15 good days—to act.”
The union’s demands include:
Upward review of shift and uniform allowances
Creation of a separate salary structure for nurses
Increased core duty allowance
Mass employment of nurses
Establishment of a nursing department in the Federal Ministry of Health
Rilwan noted that the strike was not merely a leadership directive but a mandate from the rank-and-file members of the union, who have become increasingly frustrated by decades of neglect.
“For over 40 years, nurses have endured poor working conditions—lack of gloves, equipment, and other essentials—without going on strike,” he said. “This time, they are determined. Even the threat of ‘no work, no pay’ does not scare them because what they earn is already inadequate.”
He further disclosed that if the government fails to respond satisfactorily after the seven-day warning strike, the union will issue another 21-day ultimatum in line with labour laws before embarking on an indefinite strike.
Addressing concerns about participation, Rilwan clarified that Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) would not be part of the strike due to their non-affiliation with the association for the past three years. However, he confirmed that other federal hospitals across Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory, and other states are fully participating in the action.
The strike is expected to affect operations in several federal health institutions, potentially disrupting services for patients across Nigeria.
Also, nurses under the University College Hospital (UCH) branch of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) have joined the ongoing nationwide seven-day warning strike declared by the association’s national leadership.
The strike, which began after the UCH chapter held its Congress on Wednesday, is in protest of the Federal Government’s failure to meet several longstanding demands by the association.
Chairperson of the UCH NANNM branch, Mrs. Olufunmilola Faminu, explained that the industrial action was in line with directives from the national headquarters of NANNM. She said the strike was necessary following government inaction on critical issues affecting the welfare and professional development of nurses.
According to her, the demands include the recruitment of additional nursing staff, improved hospital facilities across the country, the creation of a directorate for nurses within the Federal Ministry of Health, and better representation of nurses in policymaking at the federal level.
She also mentioned the call for a centralized system for internship training, as well as a review and upward adjustment of allowances for nurses and midwives.
Faminu, while expressing concern for patients affected by the strike, appealed for understanding, saying the action was not aimed at abandoning those in need of care.
“Sadly, we are so concerned about our patients; we don’t intend to leave them stranded without our care,” she said. “Nurses provide compassionate, competent care across all settings. But we have no choice than to embark on this strike; we appeal to our patients to bear with us.”
She stressed that the protest was a justified action, noting that other healthcare professionals remained available to handle emergencies during the period.
“The nationwide strike commenced officially at midnight on July 29 and will end on August 5. If our demands are not met after the warning strike, we will issue a 21-day ultimatum and proceed from there to an indefinite strike,” she added.
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