Nigerian nurses and midwives have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the federal government, threatening to halt services nationwide if demands for improved working conditions, fair compensation, and revised allowances are not met. The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM-FHI) announced the move on Monday following an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council in Abuja, escalating a labor dispute that could disrupt healthcare services across federal institutions.
In a statement signed by National Secretary Enya Osinachi and President Morakinyo-Olajide Rilwan, the association accused authorities of failing to address grievances raised in a prior 15-day notice issued July 14. Nurses plan to begin a “total service withdrawal” at midnight on July 29 if no resolution is reached, calling on members nationwide to join the strike in solidarity. The move underscores mounting tensions over the welfare of medical workers in a country already grappling with widespread healthcare challenges.
NANNM-FHI emphasized that nurses, who they claim perform 60–70% of clinical services in hospitals, deserve urgent recognition and better support. “Those at the frontline of healthcare delivery cannot remain undervalued,” the statement read, stressing demands for revised shift allowances, on-call duty pay, and retention incentives. The group also rejected a June 27 circular from Nigeria’s National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC), which they argue fails to address systemic issues in nurse compensation.
The labor action highlights broader concerns about workforce sustainability in Nigeria’s public health sector, where understaffing and resource shortages have persisted for years. Nurses’ unions cite low wages, hazardous working conditions, and inconsistent policies as contributors to the country’s “brain drain” of medical professionals seeking opportunities abroad. The strike notice coincides with rising public scrutiny of Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure, which faces pressures ranging from infectious disease outbreaks to maternal mortality crises.
While calling for immediate government intervention, NANNM-FHI framed its demands as critical to preserving healthcare quality. “A well-supported nursing workforce isn’t optional—it’s fundamental to saving lives,” the statement asserted, urging constructive dialogue to avert service disruptions. Analysts warn that a prolonged strike could strain federal hospitals, where nurses play central roles in patient care, diagnostics, and emergency response.
The federal health ministry has yet to issue a formal response. Observers note the standoff mirrors similar disputes in other low- and middle-income countries, where healthcare workers increasingly demand better pay and safer environments amid global staffing shortages. With the deadline approaching, the situation tests Nigeria’s capacity to balance fiscal constraints with the urgent need to retain skilled medical personnel.
