Nigerian Nurses Go on Strike, Say “Enough Is Enough”

Nurses working in federal hospitals across Nigeria have kicked off a seven-day warning strike, despite last-minute appeals from the Federal Government to shelve the action.

The industrial action, led by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives – Federal Health Institutions Sector (NANNM-FHI), began on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, and is expected to last until August 5. The union says the decision was fueled by years of frustration over poor salaries, harsh working conditions, and lack of recognition.

According to the association’s national chairman, Morakinyo Rilwan, the government failed to respond to a 15-day ultimatum issued earlier on July 14, where nurses demanded action on long-standing issues affecting their welfare.

“There has been no meaningful engagement from the government. That is why this strike is going ahead. Nothing is stopping it now,” Rilwan stated.

What Are the Nurses Demanding?

The union has laid out clear demands aimed at improving the working and living conditions of nurses in federal health institutions. These include:

A review of shift allowances

Increased uniform allowances

A dedicated salary structure for nurses

Better core duty allowances

Mass recruitment of nurses to fill critical gaps

Creation of a Nursing Department in the Federal Ministry of Health

A Strike Driven by the Nurses Themselves

Interestingly, Rilwan emphasized that this strike wasn’t solely the idea of union leaders—it was pushed by the rank and file nurses themselves, who say they’re tired of being undervalued and overworked.

“This strike was initiated by our members. They are frustrated and determined to see real change,” he said.

The nurses say they are unfazed by threats of ‘no work, no pay’ from the government. In fact, many of them have declared they are willing to forgo their already insufficient salaries if that’s what it takes to be heard.

Why It Matters

Nurses are the backbone of Nigeria’s healthcare system, and without them, patient care suffers. This strike is likely to cause serious disruptions in federal hospitals nationwide, especially in emergency and inpatient services.

As the countdown to the end of the warning strike continues, many Nigerians are watching to see whether the Federal Government will finally act—or risk losing even more of the country’s already overstretched healthcare workers.

For now, the message from Nigerian nurses is loud and clear: “We deserve better.”