Nurses under the umbrella of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives–Federal Health Institutions Sector (NANNM-FHI) have commenced a seven-day warning strike today, vowing to press on despite any belated attempt by the Federal Government to open negotiations.
The union had, on July 14, issued a 15-day ultimatum to the government to address key welfare concerns or face industrial action. With no response from authorities, the nurses have now downed tools across federal health institutions nationwide.
Speaking on Tuesday, NANNM-FHI National Chairman, Morakinyo Rilwan, said the strike would proceed as planned and would not be suspended, even if the government called for dialogue at this stage.
“As far as we are concerned, there has been no communication from the government to this moment. That is why we are saying the strike is going on, and nothing is stopping it,” Rilwan said.
“Even if the government calls today or tomorrow, it won’t stop the strike. They had enough time. Fifteen days is enough for them to call us for negotiations. It is because they are not sensitive to the welfare of the masses.”
The nurses are demanding an upward review of their shift allowance, adjustment of uniform allowance, a dedicated salary structure for nurses, an increase in core duty allowance, mass employment of nursing personnel, and the creation of a nursing department within the Federal Ministry of Health, among other requests.
Rilwan noted that the strike was driven by long-standing frustrations among members, not the union’s leadership.
“For over 40 years, we have been patient. We’ve worked without essential materials like gloves and basic equipment. In all that time, nurses never went on strike,” he said.
“But this time, it was the members themselves who said enough is enough. The leadership has no choice but to allow them to exercise their rights—they are tired.”
The warning strike is expected to further strain Nigeria’s already overstretched health system, with patients in federal facilities likely to experience service disruptions in the coming days.
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