Just In: Nigerian Nurses Begin Nationwide Strike Over Poor Welfare and Unmet Demands

 

Nurses across Nigeria have commenced a nationwide strike today following unresolved disputes with the federal and state governments regarding poor welfare, inadequate remuneration, and unfavorable working conditions. The industrial action was declared by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives after a series of failed negotiations and unfulfilled promises from relevant health authorities.

According to the union, the strike became inevitable after months of advocating for improved pay, better equipment, safer work environments, and respect for professional standards. Nurses in both public and some private health institutions have begun withdrawing their services, affecting hospitals, clinics, and primary healthcare centers across the country.

Patients who turned up at government hospitals on Tuesday morning were met with empty wards and limited services as nurses stayed away from duty posts. Several hospitals have already begun discharging non-critical patients or scaling down services to the bare minimum, with only emergency departments functioning in some areas using skeletal staff.

The union leadership stated that the strike is indefinite and will not be suspended until there is visible and documented progress on their key demands. These include salary structure reviews, immediate employment of more nurses to reduce workload, improved security in hospitals, and the end to what they describe as systemic neglect by the government.

In many parts of the country including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano, nurses were seen holding placards at hospital gates, calling for justice, dignity, and fair treatment. The impact of the strike is expected to be severe if prolonged, as nurses form the backbone of Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.

The federal government has yet to issue an official response as of the time of this report. However, the Ministry of Health is reportedly in emergency talks with labor stakeholders to mitigate the effects of the strike and explore possible resolutions. Many Nigerians are calling on the government to act swiftly to prevent a total breakdown of the health sector and unnecessary suffering of patients.