Nigeria is now facing a total healthcare shutdown as the nurses and midwives embarked on a nationwide strike, beginning today, July 30, even as Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) issued a 21-day notice of total and indefinite strike over the alleged failure of the federal government to address their long-standing demands.
The Nurses and midwives, under the umbrella of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives–Federal Health Institutions Sector, vowed to continue the strike from today until their demands are met by the government. Some of such demands include the upward review of shift allowance, uniform allowance adjustment, a separate salary structure for nurses, increased core duty allowance, mass employment of nurses, and the establishment of a nursing department in the Federal Ministry of Health, among others.
The National Chairman of NANNM-FHI, Morakinyo Rilwan, who spoke about the strike said that the government had 15 days to respond to their demands but failed to act.
The union, on July 14, 2025, issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding immediate intervention to prevent a total healthcare shutdown.
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.”
Rilwan 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 that members are prepared to face any consequences, including “no work, no pay.”
“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 said that after the seven-day warning strike, if no reasonable agreement is 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.
“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.”
On its part, the Nigerian Medical Association had issued a communiqué at the end of its Emergency Delegates Meeting on July 26, 2025, expressed deep disappointment over the protracted negotiations with the government on issues affecting doctors’ welfare across the country.
The communiqué, signed by NMA President, Professo Bala Audu and Secretary General, Dr. Jamin Egbo, cited several unresolved issues, including the suspension—rather than withdrawal—of a recent circular by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC), which the association had opposed.
The emergency meeting, convened by the National Officers Committee (NOC) of the association in response to the NSIWC circular on the review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for doctors, as well as the federal government’s failure to:
Pay seven months of accrued 25/35% CONMESS adjustment arrears,
Honor previously signed Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs),
Adequately prioritize the health sector at all levels of governance.
The communiqué reads in part:
“The meeting, after extensive deliberations, unanimously condemned the federal government’s approach to the welfare of its members and the persistent neglect of issues affecting Nigerian doctors.
“The meeting issued a 21-day notice of total and indefinite strike, effective from July 27, 2025, in line with relevant labour laws, should the government fail to comprehensively address the association’s demands within this period.”
The association expressed optimism that the government would act responsibly to avert a nationwide industrial action, stressing however, the risk such neglect poses to the already fragile health system.
It advised the government to consider the health needs of citizens and the wellbeing of medical professionals.
The NMA commended the efforts of its National Officers Committee and the National Technical Negotiating Team (NTNT) in their continued engagement with government agencies. However, it lamented that none of its 19 listed demands had been fully met.
The meeting also expressed concern over:
Inadequate implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding signed with government representatives,
Rising economic hardship affecting both doctors and citizens,
The continued neglect of the health sector, which contributes to brain drain and poor national health indices,
The increasing trend of medical tourism by government officials, which it said undermines confidence in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The NMA appreciated delegates from the 36 states and the FCT who participated in the meeting and called on all Nigerian doctors to remain united and committed to the association’s shared vision.
The communiqué concluded with a call for immediate government intervention to prevent avoidable disruption in the country’s health services.
