By Prosper Mene
The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Federal Health Institutions Sector, has declared that its ongoing seven-day nationwide warning strike will not be suspended until the Federal Government demonstrates serious commitment to addressing their demands. The strike, which began on July 30, 2025, has crippled healthcare services across federal hospitals, leaving patients stranded and facilities struggling to cope.
National Chairman of NANNM, Morakinyo-Olajide Rilwan, speaking on Thursday, emphasized the union’s resolve following a meeting with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, on Tuesday. The meeting, held after the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued on July 14, ended in a deadlock, prompting the union to proceed with the industrial action. “We are not comfortable with the government’s request to suspend the strike before addressing our demands. Parts of these demands must be met, and we must see serious commitment from the government before we take that step,” Rilwan stated.
The nurses’ demands include better remuneration, improved workplace safety, increased staffing to address severe shortages, and the creation of a Department of Nursing in the Federal Ministry of Health. They also seek the gazetting of the nursing scheme of service approved since 2016, fair representation on health policy-making bodies, and the withdrawal of a recent circular on revised allowances deemed inadequate. Josephine Bassey, Chairman of the Cross River State chapter, noted that 90% of these demands carry no financial implications, focusing instead on administrative reforms like enforcing court judgments and policy papers.
The strike, likened a “total shutdown,” has led to significant disruptions. At the Federal Medical Centre in Abuja, long queues formed at outpatient departments, with patients waiting hours for minimal care. In Bayelsa, some primary healthcare centers shut down entirely, while in Kebbi, NANNM’s state chairman, Kilani AbdulWaliyu, apologized to patients but stressed the necessity of the action due to government inaction.
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Labour, has urged NANNM to embrace dialogue and suspend the strike. A high-level stakeholders’ meeting is scheduled for Friday, involving key ministries and NANNM executives, with the Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Pate, expressing commitment to resolving the crisis. However, Rilwan warned that failure to meet their demands by the end of the warning strike could lead to a 21-day ultimatum, followed by an indefinite nationwide strike.
NANNM leaders emphasized that nurses, who constitute 60-65% of Nigeria’s healthcare workforce, have not embarked on a solo strike in over 40 years, with the last occurring in 1984. “It’s not in our nature to strike, but the government’s insensitivity has left us no choice,” Rilwan said, citing the union’s patience and compassion for patients.
The union has called for public understanding, urging the government to act swiftly to prevent further escalation and ensure quality healthcare delivery.
