Nigerian nurses under the banner of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Federal Health Institutions (NANNM-FHI), have commenced a seven-day warning strike to protest poor welfare conditions, inadequate remuneration, and neglect by the federal government.
The strike, which began on Monday, July 29, will run until Monday, August 5, 2025. It comes after the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government, during which no concrete steps were taken to address the grievances raised by the union.
Speaking on the decision, NANNM-FHI Chairman, Comrade Morakinyo Rilwan, stated that the strike action was democratically pushed for by members across various federal health institutions and that nurses are fully prepared to bear the consequences, including the threat of a “no work, no pay” policy.
“We’ve reached a breaking point. Our members voted overwhelmingly in support of this strike action after years of unfulfilled promises, poor working conditions, lack of basic welfare incentives, and no career progression plans. If the government cannot respect us with dialogue, we’ll make our voices heard through this action,” Rilwan declared.
The union had previously outlined its demands, which include immediate upward review of allowances, implementation of a new salary structure, recruitment of more nurses to reduce work overload, provision of modern equipment, and a clear career advancement pathway.
Despite last-minute appeals from the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Federal Ministry of Health, NANNM-FHI insisted the strike would proceed, citing the government’s consistent pattern of delaying dialogue until industrial action begins.
Many hospitals across the country, particularly federal medical centres and teaching hospitals, have already begun feeling the impact, with skeletal services and delays in emergency units.
Health sector observers fear that if the issues are not addressed swiftly, the strike could escalate into a full-blown nationwide shutdown, further compounding the challenges of Nigeria’s fragile healthcare system.