Nigerian nurses under NANNM have launched a seven-day nationwide strike over poor conditions.
The action targets 74 federal hospitals after government failed to meet key demands.
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Nurses across Nigeria have begun a nationwide warning strike today, July 30, under the platform of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Federal Health Institutions Sector. The industrial action, which commenced at 12:01 a.m., is expected to last for seven days.
This decision comes after the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued to the federal government, urging immediate attention to the pressing concerns facing nurses and midwives. The strike affects 74 federal health facilities, including teaching hospitals, federal medical centers, and specialist hospitals like orthopaedic, psychiatric, and eye centers. Services will also be withdrawn from general hospitals and primary health centers across all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and 774 local government areas. However, private hospitals are not part of the action.
Speaking on the matter, the National Chairman of NANNM-FHI, Morakinyo Rilwan, explained that the strike was prompted by persistent neglect from the federal government despite repeated calls for intervention. He said the union had hoped for dialogue but received no response from the government or the Federal Ministry of Health following their ultimatum issued on July 14.
Rilwan highlighted several reasons for the industrial action, including poor pay, severe understaffing, unpaid entitlements, and unsafe working environments. He added that the strike is a last resort to demand better conditions for nurses who are vital to Nigeria’s healthcare delivery.
Among the key demands are the official publication of the nurses’ scheme of service approved since 2016, the enforcement of a court ruling from January 27, 2012, and a review of nurses’ professional allowances. The union is also pushing for increased recruitment of nursing staff and better provision of medical equipment across healthcare centers.
Other demands include the establishment of a nursing department within the Federal Ministry of Health, fair representation of nurses in top-level decision-making bodies, centralization of internship placements for graduate nurses, and the recognition of consultancy roles for qualified nurses and midwives.
Additionally, the association is calling for the immediate reversal of a recent circular that altered the structure of allowances for health workers, which they believe negatively impacts nurses.
