Thousands of patients at federal hospitals remain stranded as nurses launched a 7-day warning strike nationwide today.
The strike, led by NANNM-FHI, protests unresolved welfare issues, poor allowances, and the government’s neglect of nurses’ demands.
All emergency and critical care services across teaching hospitals have shut down due to full compliance with the strike.
Comrade Enya Agatha Osinachi, NANNM’s National Secretary, confirmed there were no skeletal services offered anywhere in Nigeria.
She noted that all NANNM branches participated fully, stressing that the union was closely monitoring for absolute compliance.
Nurses demand implementation of a 2016-approved scheme of service and improved allowances for overstretched federal health workers.
They also want better working conditions, recruitment of nurses, and adequate provision of essential hospital equipment nationwide.
The association insists government must recognize their role by gazetting the long-delayed nurses’ scheme of service immediately.
Osinachi said no communication from the federal government had been received since the strike commenced across all zones.
A final round of negotiations with Labour Minister Dingyadi ended in deadlock, triggering the planned 7-day industrial action.
Nurses also demand inclusion in top healthcare policymaking bodies and creation of a nursing department in the ministry.
They criticized a new circular on revised allowances, calling it unfair and exclusionary toward nursing professionals nationwide.
NANNM threatened that if the government fails to act, an indefinite strike will begin after August 5 deadline.
The association pledged to follow due labour processes, including issuing a 21-day notice before further industrial action begins.
Minister Dingyadi urged NANNM to reconsider the strike, calling dialogue a more responsible solution to current grievances.
He assured that the government remains committed to resolving all pending demands through negotiation and institutional health reform.
