Nigerian nurses under the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) commenced a seven-day nationwide warning strike starting midnight on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
This industrial action follows a 15-day ultimatum issued by the union in mid-July, demanding government response to longstanding concerns affecting nurses and midwives across federal health institutions.
Chairman of NANNM in the Federal Capital Territory, Jama Medan, stated that the union is mobilizing members nationwide to participate fully in the strike.
Key demands include the formal gazetting of the nurses’ scheme of service, approved by the National Council on Establishments in 2016, implementation of a 2012 arbitration court judgment, upward review of professional allowances, recruitment of additional nursing staff, and enhanced provision of equipment in health facilities.
The union is also pressing for the creation of a Department of Nursing within the Federal Ministry of Health, inclusion of nurses in leadership and policymaking positions, fair representation on the boards of federal health institutions, centralized internship posting for graduate nurses, and formal recognition of nurses and midwives as consultants.
NANNM has rejected a recent federal government circular on revised allowances, describing it as grossly inadequate and discriminatory.
The strike is set to affect all government-owned health facilities nationwide, with the union warning of significant disruption to healthcare service delivery if the government fails to meet their demands after the warning strike.
This strike highlights ongoing tension between healthcare workers and the federal government, emphasizing urgent calls for improved welfare and working conditions for nurses and midwives in Nigeria.
