Nigerian nurses and midwives have issued a strong warning to the Federal Government, demanding an end to the victimisation of their members — or risk a full-blown nationwide warning strike that could cripple healthcare delivery across the country.
The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Federal Health Institutions (FHI) Sector, is not here to play games. The association has slammed a 15-day ultimatum on the Federal Government, demanding that authorities immediately address what they describe as the deliberate victimisation of their members in federal health institutions.
For many Nigerians who have sat on cold benches in government hospital corridors, waiting hours to be attended to, the thought of nurses downing tools is nothing short of a nightmare. But for the nurses themselves, enough appears to be enough.
What Is NANNM Saying?
The association, which represents nurses and midwives working across federal health institutions nationwide, has raised the alarm over what it calls systematic maltreatment and victimisation of its members. While the full details of the grievances continue to unfold, NANNM has made it crystal clear — if the Federal Government fails to act within 15 days*, they will proceed with a *nationwide warning strike.
This is not a bluff. Nigerian nurses have gone on strike before, and the consequences for patients and hospitals are always severe.
Why This Matters to Every Nigerian
Let’s be honest — our public healthcare system is already walking a tightrope. From understaffed wards in Lagos to overstretched facilities in Kano and Enugu, Nigerian nurses are the backbone holding what remains of the system together. They are the ones who stay by your bedside when the doctor has moved on to the next patient. They administer the drips, monitor the vitals, and offer the human touch that no machine can replace.
When nurses are unhappy, patients suffer. And when nurses go on strike? The consequences can be fatal — literally.
The ongoing japa crisis has already sent thousands of trained Nigerian healthcare workers abroad in search of better conditions and pay. Those who remain deserve to be treated with dignity, not victimised for standing up for their rights.
The Ball Is in FG’s Court
NANNM has done its part by issuing a formal ultimatum rather than going straight to industrial action. This is a window — a 15-day opportunity for the Federal Government to sit down, listen, and resolve whatever grievances are causing this tension.
Nigerian workers, whether in healthcare, education, or any other sector, have grown weary of promises that never materialise. From ASUU to JOHESU, the cycle of strikes, negotiations, and broken agreements has become painfully familiar.
The Federal Government must treat this warning with the seriousness it deserves. Lives — quite literally — depend on it.
What Happens Next?
If the government fails to respond meaningfully within the stipulated timeframe, NANNM has signalled it will mobilise members across federal health institutions for a warning strike. Should that happen, Nigerians should brace for significant disruptions in healthcare services at federal hospitals and medical centres across the country.
For now, the clock is ticking.
Stay with us for updates as this developing story unfolds. Share your thoughts in the comments — do you think the Federal Government will act in time?
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