Nurses under the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives–Federal Health Institutions Sector have confirmed that their planned seven-day warning strike will begin on Wednesday, stating that even if the government initiates negotiations, the strike will still go on as planned.
Speaking on Tuesday, the National Chairman of the association, Morakinyo Rilwan, said the union had earlier issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government on July 14, 2025, but received no response. The union had called for urgent intervention to prevent a complete shutdown of healthcare services.
Among their demands are an upward review of shift allowance, adjustment of uniform allowance, creation of a separate salary structure for nurses, increased core duty allowance, mass recruitment of nurses, and the establishment of a dedicated nursing department within the Federal Ministry of Health.
Rilwan noted that there has been no communication from the government regarding these issues, stating, “Even if the government calls today or tomorrow, it won’t stop the strike. They had enough time—15 days is enough for them to call us for negotiations. It is because they are not sensitive to the welfare of the masses.”
He further explained that this action is being driven by the members themselves due to years of neglect and poor working conditions. “For over 40 years, we have been patient with them. They subjected us to working without gloves or equipment, and in all that time, nurses never went on strike.”
He added that members are prepared to accept any consequences, including the enforcement of the “no work, no pay” rule, saying the current wages are already insufficient and nurses are willing to sacrifice them for the duration of the strike.
Rilwan stated that after the seven-day warning strike, the union would issue a 21-day notice in accordance with labour laws before embarking on a full-scale indefinite strike if the government still fails to act. Reacting to reports that some hospitals might not participate, he clarified that institutions like the Federal Medical Centre Ebute-Metta and Lagos University Teaching Hospital are not involved in the strike because they are no longer financial members of the union. He added that hospitals across other parts of Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory, and other states would be participating fully in the industrial action.
Source: https://punchng.com/
