The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives–Federal Health Institutions Sector, which represents nurses, has insisted that their seven-day warning strike start on Wednesday.
Members promised that even if the government called for talks, they would still finish the strike.
The National Chairman of NANNM-FHI, Morakinyo Rilwan, told news correspondents in an interview on Tuesday that it had issued an ultimatum to the the government, adding that the government had 15 days to address their concerns but failed to do so.
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In order to avoid a complete healthcare shutdown, the union gave the federal government a 15-day ultimatum on July 14, 2025, requesting prompt action.
The nurses made a number of requests, including the creation of a nursing department inside the Federal Ministry of Health, an increase in the core duty allowance, a uniform adjustment to the allowance, a distinct wage structure for nurses, and an upward review of shift allowance.
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.”
Additionally, she noted 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 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.
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“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 stressed that after the seven-day warning strike, if no reasonable consensus was reached, they would issue another 21-day deadline to the government, according to labour law, before embarking 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.
Addressing reports that some nurses and 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.
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“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.
The nurses strike follows shortly after doctors under the Nigerian Medical association had also embarked on a warning strike after dishing out a number of demands from the federal government.
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