Nurses begin nationwide warning strike over welfare, poor working conditions

Nurses begin nationwide warning strike over welfare, poor working conditions

By Jeffrey Agbo

Nurses across Nigeria under the aegis of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM-FHI) have embarked on a nationwide warning strike beginning today, demanding improved welfare, fair allowances, and better working conditions in the health sector.

The industrial action, which began at midnight on Tuesday, July 29, follows the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued to the federal government and the Federal Ministry of Health on July 14, with no meaningful response received.

“The strike, starting 12 midnight Tuesday, July 29, will involve total service withdrawal across all federal health institutions.

“Nurses nationwide have been asked to comply fully and stand in solidarity,” the union said in a Monday statement.

The warning strike is expected to last for seven days, ending on August 5, 2025. It will affect public health facilities nationwide and is anticipated to significantly disrupt services in government hospitals.

NANNM emphasized the indispensable role nurses play in healthcare delivery across the country, stating that they provide between 60–70 per cent of hospital services and should therefore be treated with dignity and fairness.

The union rejected a circular dated June 27, issued by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC), and called for a review of several allowances, including those for shift work, call duty, and staff retention.

State chapters of the association have begun mobilizing their members in compliance with the directive. In Oyo State, the union has confirmed its participation in the strike.

In a statement, NANNM’s Secretary in Oyo, Emmanuel Aina, announced that the state chapter would fully participate in the strike, following a resolution adopted at an emergency session of the union’s National Executive Council.

“I write to notify you that all nurses and midwives across all healthcare institutions, federal, state, and local government, are directed to embark on a seven-day warning strike.

“The strike is scheduled to commence at midnight on Wednesday, July 30, and will run through August 5, 2025,” the statement read.

Mr Aina urged members to adhere strictly to the directive and noted that official communication outlining the union’s eight-point demands had already been sent to the relevant authorities.

“This seven-day warning strike is a litmus test for our readiness to pursue a more serious struggle if our demands are not addressed,” he said.

Among the key issues raised by the union are the implementation of a new minimum wage structure for nurses and other staff at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho, and payment of uniform allowances to all nurses and midwives employed by Oyo State, in accordance with civil service guidelines.

Other demands include the urgent recruitment of more nurses and midwives into both the Hospital Management Board and LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, to address workforce shortages.

The union also called for the full implementation of a 25 per cent CONHESS adjustment for nurses and midwives in Oyo State’s service, as well as improved hazard allowances for healthcare workers serving at the local government level.