Nigerian Nurses Begin Nationwide Strike Over Pay and Conditions

Nigerian nurses, under the umbrella of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM-FHI), have begun a nationwide strike today, July 30, 2025. This action follows the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued to the federal government and the Ministry of Health on July 14. The union stated that no meaningful response was received during that period, prompting the decision to commence a full withdrawal of services across all federal health institutions.

The nurses are demanding improved welfare, fairer allowances, and better working conditions. According to the union, nurses are essential to healthcare delivery in Nigeria, contributing between 60 to 70 percent of services in hospitals. They argue that their current conditions are unjust and do not reflect their critical role in patient care.

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NANNM also rejected a circular issued by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission on June 27, which they say fails to address key issues related to shift, call duty, and retention allowances. The union insists that these financial adjustments are long overdue and necessary to retain skilled healthcare workers in the system.

In a Monday statement, NANNM directed all nurses nationwide to participate in the strike and show full compliance. The union emphasized unity among nurses and midwives across various levels of government health facilities and said the strike is a response to years of neglect and inadequate compensation.

State chapters of NANNM have begun mobilizing their members for the ongoing strike. In Oyo State, the union’s secretary, Emmanuel Aina, confirmed that nurses across federal, state, and local government health institutions are fully participating. He stated that the action followed an emergency meeting by NANNM’s National Executive Council, which issued a directive to all state chapters.

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The Oyo chapter clarified that this is a seven-day warning strike, running from midnight on July 30 to August 5, 2025. Mr Aina noted that official letters outlining the union’s demands have been sent to the relevant government bodies. He described the strike as a “litmus test,” warning that failure to address their concerns could lead to a more extended and intensified struggle.

Among the key demands is the implementation of the new national minimum wage for nurses and staff at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital in Ogbomosho. The union is also pushing for the payment of uniform allowances for all nurses and midwives employed by the Oyo State government, insisting that this should be done in line with existing public service rules.

Another major concern raised by the union is the shortage of nurses across health facilities. They are calling for mass recruitment into the Hospital Management Board and LAUTECH Teaching Hospital to reduce pressure on the current workforce and improve patient care.

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The union insists that unless their demands are taken seriously, Nigerian healthcare will continue to suffer from poor staffing and low morale among professionals. They urged the public and other labor unions to support their cause and put pressure on the government to act swiftly to avoid further disruption to health services.