Nurses shun FG talks, begin warning strike today

Nurses shun FG talks, begin warning strike today

Nurses under the aegis of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives-Federal Health Institutions Sector have urged that their scheduled seven-day warning strike begin on Wednesday.

The members vowed to carry out the strike even if the government called for negotiations.

In a conversation with our correspondent on Tuesday, Morakinyo Rilwan, National Chairman of NANNM-FHI, stated that the government had 15 days to react to their demands but did not act.

On July 14, 2025, the union issued a 15-day ultimatum to the federal government, urging fast action to avoid a complete healthcare shutdown.

Some of the nurses’ demands include an increase in shift allowance, an adjustment to uniform allowance, a distinct wage structure for nurses, an increase in core duty allowance, mass nurse employment, and the establishment of a nursing department under the Federal Ministry of Health, among others.

Rilwan said, “As far as we are concerned, there has been no communication from the government to this moment. That is why we are saying the strike is going on, and nothing is stopping it.

“Even if the government calls today or tomorrow, it won’t stop the strike. They had enough time.

“Fifteen days is enough for them to call us for negotiations. It is because they are not sensitive to the welfare of the masses. That’s why they allowed 15 good days to elapse.”

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Rilwan stated that the strike was initiated by members who had grown tired of poor working conditions.

“For over 40 years, we have been patient with them. They subjected us to no provision of gloves or equipment, and for the past 40 years, nurses have not embarked on any strike.

“And we gave them 15 days’ notice. Maybe they are looking at it as these people have not gone on strike for a very long time, so they are not going to go on strike. But they are wrong,” he said.

According to him, nurses were prepared to face any consequences, including “no work, no pay.”

He said, “This strike is not initiated by the leadership of the union; it was initiated by the members, and they said this is what they want.

“So, we don’t have any option but to allow them to exercise their rights, because they are tired.

“They are not even contemplating ‘no work, no pay,’ because that is the only language the government can use, and they are ready because the money they are taking is not even enough for them.

“They are ready to sacrifice that as long as this strike continues.”

He elucidated that after the seven-day warning strike, if no reasonable agreement was reached, they would give another 21-day ultimatum to the government, according to labour law, before proceeding on an indefinite strike.

“If the 21 days elapse and there is no reasonable response from the government, we would embark on a total and indefinite strike,” he added.

Speaking on reports that some hospitals may not participate, he clarified that only institutions without financial members of the association are excluded.

“Nobody is pulling out. Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta, and Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, have not been part of our association because of some issues.

They have not been members of the association for three years, so they are not legally allowed to join this strike.

“Other hospitals in Lagos and other states, including the Federal Capital Territory, are joining the strike,” he said.

Nurses shun FG talks, begin warning strike today