Nigerian Nurses Begin Nationwide Strike Over Poor Welfare, Unfair Policies

Nigerian nurses under the umbrella of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) have commenced a nationwide strike today, July 30, to protest poor working conditions, stagnated career progression, and recent policies by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. The association had earlier issued a 14-day ultimatum, demanding the reversal of what it described as unfavourable certification and verification rules, and failure to act led to the mass industrial action.

Among the major grievances is the Council’s new verification guideline, which nurses say restricts their right to seek employment opportunities abroad. The protesting nurses are also demanding better welfare packages, improved staffing, and urgent action to address brain drain, which has seen thousands of Nigerian nurses leave the country in recent years. According to NANNM, the strike is indefinite and will only be called off when the government addresses their demands comprehensively.

Hospitals and health centres across major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt have already begun feeling the impact, with patients reporting delays in care and some services completely unavailable.

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