Nigerian nurses begin nationwide strike

Nigerian nurses under the umbrella of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM-FHI) have commenced a nationwide strike today, Wednesday, July 30, 2025, to protest poor welfare, inadequate allowances, and harsh working conditions in the country’s healthcare system.

The strike follows the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued to the federal government and the Federal Ministry of Health on July 14. In a statement released on Monday, the union announced that the industrial action, which began at midnight on Tuesday, July 29, involves a complete withdrawal of services across all federal health institutions.

“This seven-day warning strike is in full effect and all nurses nationwide are directed to comply in solidarity,” the statement read.

The warning strike is expected to last until August 5 and will involve nurses in public health institutions across the country, potentially disrupting healthcare delivery in government hospitals.

NANNM reaffirmed that nurses contribute between 60 and 70 percent of all hospital services and therefore deserve improved welfare, fair treatment, and formal recognition for their critical role in healthcare.

The union also rejected a circular dated June 27 from the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC), which failed to address core concerns regarding allowances. Nurses are demanding adjustments to shift, call duty, and retention allowances, among others.

Several state chapters of the union have expressed readiness to join the strike. In Oyo State, the NANNM Secretary, Emmanuel Aina, confirmed compliance and said the strike was endorsed during an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council and directed by the national body.

“I write to notify that all nurses and midwives across all healthcare institutions—federal, state, and local—are directed to embark on a seven-day warning strike from midnight of Wednesday, July 30, to August 5, 2025,” Mr Aina stated.

He emphasized that the strike is intended to draw urgent attention to nurses’ demands, adding that the union had formally communicated an eight-point demand list to relevant authorities.

Among the union’s key demands are:

Implementation of the new minimum wage for nurses and other staff at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho.

Payment of uniform allowances to all nurses and midwives in Oyo State as per public service regulations.

Mass recruitment of nurses and midwives into the Hospital Management Board and LAUTECH Teaching Hospital to tackle critical staffing shortages.

Implementation of the 25% CONHESS adjustment circular and enhanced hazard allowances for local government-level healthcare workers.

Mr Aina warned that the ongoing strike is only a preliminary action and that a more sustained industrial struggle may follow if demands are not met.

The Federal Ministry of Health and the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission are yet to issue a formal response as of press time.