Nurses across Nigeria have started a nationwide warning strike today, July 30, 2025.
The strike is led by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Federal Health Institutions Sector.

The strike began at midnight after a 15-day ultimatum given to the federal government ended without any response.

NANNM-FHI Chairman, Morakinyo Rilwan, said on Monday, July 28, that nurses would stop working completely at all federal medical facilities across the country.

The strike affects 74 federal hospitals, including teaching hospitals, federal medical centres, and specialist centres such as orthopaedic, psychiatric, and eye hospitals.
It also covers general hospitals and primary healthcare centres in all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and all 774 local government areas.

Rilwan explained that nurses in private hospitals would not join the strike because their representation under the union is limited across the country.

The nurses say they are protesting low salaries, unpaid allowances, staff shortages, and unsafe work conditions.
They had warned the government on July 14, 2025, giving 15 days to fix the problems or face a nationwide strike.

According to the union, no steps were taken by the federal government or the Ministry of Health to solve these issues or even begin discussions.
The strike, they say, was the only option left.

The union’s demands include the approval and official use of the nurses’ scheme of service, which was approved in 2016 by the National Council on Establishments in Minna.
They also want the federal government to implement a 2012 court judgment from the National Industrial Court that supports their cause.

Other demands are the increase of professional allowances, hiring of more nurses, and the upgrade of hospital equipment.

The nurses also want a separate department of nursing in the Ministry of Health, the chance for nurses to hold leadership positions in health policy decisions, more seats on hospital boards, central posting for intern nurses, and formal recognition of nurses as consultants.

They are also asking the government to cancel a newly released circular that changed allowances for health workers, which they say is unfair to nurses.

As the strike continues, many Nigerians are worried about its impact on healthcare.
The federal government is under pressure to respond quickly and prevent further disruption to medical services across the country.