Nurses under the aegis of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) in the Federal Health Institutions sector have commenced a seven-day warning strike.
The nurses insisted that they would not back down even if the Federal Government invite them to the negotiation table during the industrial action.
The strike action followed the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government on July 14, 2025. The union had demanded urgent government intervention to avert a looming collapse in the healthcare system.
Top on the list of their demands are the upward review of shift and uniform allowances, creation of a separate salary structure for nurses, increased core duty allowance, mass recruitment of nurses, and the establishment of a department of nursing at the Federal Ministry of Health.
Speaking on Tuesday, the National Chairman of NANNM-FHI, Morakinyo Rilwan, confirmed that the strike would commence on Wednesday as planned.
“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.”
Rilwan said nurses had endured decades of neglect and hardship in silence but could no longer tolerate the worsening 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 that 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.
He stated that the strike decision came directly from members at the grassroots, who are now ready to bear any consequences, including the widely used government threat of withholding salaries.
“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.”
Rilwan further revealed that if the government fails to respond satisfactorily after the warning strike, the union would serve a fresh 21-day notice as required by labour laws, ahead of a full-scale 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.
Responding to speculation that some hospitals might not participate, Rilwan clarified that only facilities without financially active members of the association would be exempt.
“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 opted out of the association for the past three years, so they are not legally covered to participate in this strike because they are not legitimate financial members of the association.
“Other hospitals in Lagos and other states, including the Federal Capital Territory, are joining the strike,” he said.
إرسال تعليق
Drop Your Comment In The Box Below