Samuel Omang
Nurses across federal health institutions have commenced a seven-day warning strike today after rejecting last-minute hopes for talks with the Federal Government.
The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives–Federal Health Institutions Sector (NANNM-FHI) confirmed the action on Tuesday, insisting that the government had ignored a 15-day ultimatum issued on July 14, 2025, to avert the industrial action.
National Chairman of NANNM-FHI, Morakinyo Rilwan, said the strike would run its full course even if the government now called for negotiations.
“There has been no communication from the government up to this moment,” Rilwan told newsmen. “That is why we are saying the strike is going on, and nothing is stopping it. Fifteen days is enough for them to call us for negotiations. But they allowed 15 good days to elapse.”
He explained that members were frustrated by decades of poor working conditions and unmet demands.
The union is demanding a separate salary structure for nurses, an upward review of shift and core duty allowances, adjustment of uniform allowance, mass employment, and the creation of a nursing department in the Federal Ministry of Health, among others.
“For over 40 years, nurses have not embarked on any strike despite the fact that we are subjected to working without basic equipment,” Rilwan said. “Maybe the government thought we wouldn’t act, but they are wrong.”
Rilwan noted that the strike was initiated by the members themselves, who are prepared to face any consequences, including the “no work, no pay” policy.
“They are ready to sacrifice that as long as this strike continues,” he added.
The association warned that if the government failed to engage meaningfully after the warning strike, it would issue another 21-day ultimatum, as provided by labour law, before embarking on a total and indefinite strike.
“If the 21 days elapse and there is no reasonable response from the government, we will embark on a total and indefinite strike,” Rilwan said.
Reacting to reports that some hospitals might not participate, the NANNM-FHI chairman clarified that only institutions without financial members of the association were exempt.
“Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta, and Lagos University Teaching Hospital have not been part of our association for three years due to some issues. They are not legally covered to participate in this strike because they are not legitimate financial members,” he explained.
He confirmed that other federal hospitals in Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory, and across the states were fully participating.