Nurses Begin Warning Strike As Talks With FG Collapse

Nurses across Nigeria have begun a seven-day warning strike after failed efforts to get the Federal Government to respond to their demands.

The walkout, led by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) under the Federal Health Institutions (FHI) sector, kicked off on Wednesday despite no formal response from the authorities.

The strike stems from a 15-day ultimatum issued by the nurses on July 14, urging the government to take urgent steps to improve their working conditions. With no action taken, the nurses say they are left with no choice but to down tools. Their list of demands includes better shift allowances, improved uniform allowance, a new salary structure, higher core duty allowance, fresh recruitment of nurses, and the creation of a dedicated nursing department in the Federal Ministry of Health.

Leaders of the union say the strike will continue as planned even if the government makes a last-minute call for dialogue. According to the national chairman, Morakinyo Rilwan, the government had enough time to act but chose not to. He said the silence shows a lack of concern for both health workers and the public they serve.

The strike marks a rare move by the union, which has long avoided industrial action. Rilwan noted that nurses have endured decades of poor treatment, often working without basic medical supplies, but have remained patient. This time, however, the frustration has reached a breaking point. The decision to strike, he said, came directly from the nurses themselves, not just union executives.

Nurses are also prepared to face any fallout, including the government’s usual threat of withholding salaries. According to Rilwan, many nurses say the little they earn is no longer enough to survive, so they are willing to sacrifice pay to push for lasting change. He added that this warning strike is only the first step. If after seven days the government still fails to act, the union will give another 21-day notice before launching a full, indefinite strike.

There have been questions over whether all hospitals will join the action. Rilwan clarified that only institutions that are not dues-paying members of the association will be exempt. These include the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and the Federal Medical Centre in Ebute Metta, which reportedly left the union years ago. All other federal hospitals in Lagos, other states, and the Federal Capital Territory are fully involved in the strike.

The impact of the nurses’ walkout is expected to be felt nationwide, with disruptions in public hospitals already being reported. While emergency care may continue in some places, many routine services will likely be suspended during the strike.

Health analysts warn that the strike, if prolonged, could severely affect patients and further strain an already struggling public health system. Nurses make up a large portion of hospital staff, and their absence may lead to delays in care and increased pressure on the few workers left behind.

As the strike begins, attention turns to the Federal Government and whether it will finally respond or allow the situation to escalate into a full shutdown of health services across the country.