In a development that threatens to cripple healthcare delivery across Nigeria, nurses under the umbrella of the Nationwide Paralysis: Nigerian Nurses Begin Indefinite Warning Strike Over Government Inaction (NANNM), Federal Health Institutions Sector have commenced a seven-day nationwide warning strike. The action, which began at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, July 30, follows the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued to the federal government.
The strike, which is already sending shockwaves through the nation’s public health sector, affects 74 federal medical institutions including teaching hospitals, federal medical centres, orthopaedic hospitals, neuro-psychiatric facilities, eye centres, and general hospitals across all 36 states and the FCT, as well as 774 local government primary healthcare centres.
According to Morakinyo Rilwan, National Chairman of NANNM-FHI, the strike is a response to a chronic neglect of nurses’ welfare by the federal government. Core grievances include poor remuneration, critical staff shortages, unpaid allowances, and unsafe working conditions, which the union argues have worsened under the current administration.
“We served a 15-day ultimatum to the government on July 14, demanding immediate intervention,” Rilwan said. “Unfortunately, the federal government has made no move no dialogue, no negotiation, no action.”
The impact of the strike is expected to be swift and far-reaching, as it leaves public healthcare institutions across the nation without their core workforce. Federal hospitals often serve as referral centres and emergency hubs for millions of Nigerians, especially in rural and underserved areas.
While private hospitals are excluded from the action, NANNM-FHI notes that private practice nurses are not yet broadly represented nationwide, making the strike a devastating blow to the public health sector.
As of the time of this report, there has been no official response from the Federal Ministry of Health or any federal government spokesperson regarding the strike or the union’s demands. This silence has drawn criticism from both healthcare professionals and concerned citizens, who worry the government’s lack of urgency could deepen the crisis.
Healthcare stakeholders have warned that without swift intervention, the warning strike could snowball into an indefinite nationwide shutdown, plunging Nigeria’s fragile healthcare system into further disarray.
The warning strike is scheduled to last for seven days, but NANNM-FHI has not ruled out an extended or full-blown industrial action should the federal government continue to ignore its demands.
Rilwan emphasized that nurses are not eager to abandon their duty to care but are left with no choice. “We are not striking to hurt Nigerians,” he said. “We are striking to make the system better for both patients and professionals.”
With millions now at risk of losing access to essential health services, all eyes are on the government’s next move or lack thereof.