Nigerian Nurses Begin Nationwide Strike Over Welfare, Staffing Demands

Nurses across Nigeria have launched a seven-day nationwide strike to protest prolonged neglect of their welfare, including poor salary structures, inadequate staffing, and lack of official recognition. The strike, led by the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), has severely disrupted hospital operations, especially in federal health facilities such as the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and the University College Hospital in Ibadan, leaving patients without adequate care. Union leaders emphasize that the strike is a desperate measure to demand better pay, improved working conditions, recruitment of more nurses, and establishment of a nursing directorate within the Federal Ministry of Health. Despite government appeals and ongoing talks, the union insists that parts of their demands must be met before suspending the strike. Caregivers report increased anxiety and frustration due to the absence of nursing staff and limited doctor availability, forcing families to step in with patient care. The nurses call on the government, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to urgently address their plight, highlighting that the strike aims to restore their well-being so they can better serve patients in the future.