Strike Grounds Hospitals In Abuja As Nurses Demand Autonomy, Improved Welfare
•By Admin
ABUJA – THE Healthcare services at the National Hospital, Abuja have been significantly disrupted as the nationwide strike by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) entered its second day, with nurses demanding long-overdue reforms, professional autonomy, and improved working conditions.
Speaking to Daily Independent, Chairman of NANNM at the National Hospital, Comrade Joseph Awujah Akpi, confirmed that the strike had received strong support from members. “Our members who worked overnight were allowed to complete their shifts before the strike commenced this morning,” he said.
Akpi revealed that the National Hospital currently has about 600 nurses, far below the ideal capacity of 1,000. The absence of this workforce, he warned, would severely affect healthcare delivery in the federal facility.
“Nursing is an independent profession. As large as Nigeria is, we still do not have a Department of Nursing in the Federal Ministry of Health. This is long overdue,” he added, calling for greater recognition of the nursing profession.
The association’s key demands include: Gazetting of the revised nurses’ scheme of service approved since 2016; Implementation of the 2012 National Industrial Court judgment in favor of nurses; Upward review of professional allowances; Massive recruitment of nurses and midwives; Creation of a Department of Nursing in the Federal Ministry of Health; Inclusion of nurses in top policy-making bodies; Representation on the governing boards of federal health institutions; Centralised posting of intern nurses through a national system; and Granting of consultancy status to qualified nurses and midwives.
A circular dated July 25, signed by NANNM’s 2nd National Vice President, Orolu Sesan, and Deputy General Secretary, Elder Otaru Daniel Shaibu, had directed state chapters to mobilise members nationwide if the federal government failed to act on the union’s demands.
“You would recall that the National Leadership, on behalf of all members, issued the above ultimatum to the federal government… Be reminded that the ultimatum expires at 12 midnight, Tuesday 29th July, 2025,” the circular stated.
Meanwhile, reacting to the strike, Maijama’a Adamu, Head of Information and Protocol Management at the National Hospital, described the development as “a bitter reality” that is already straining the facility’s ability to provide optimal care.
“Strike in any hospital facility is something nobody wishes to witness. Even when we are in full swing, we still struggle with manpower shortages, especially on the medical side. So a strike is the last thing anyone would want,” Adamu said.
While confirming that the strike affects the entire nursing workforce at the hospital, he noted that health services had not completely shut down.
“We are not running skeletal services because it’s not all the nurses that are away. Those in the management cadre are available, and we have health assistants in their hundreds, along with doctors and other medical staff. But as you must have observed, services are accessible but not as robust as we would have wished.”
He stressed that the National Hospital is unable to resolve the issue internally, as the grievances are directed at the federal government.
“Our wish is that the parties involved in this dispute reach an amicable resolution so that our nurses can return to work and resume full services. We are just hoping that this doesn’t linger too long, because the consequences for healthcare delivery are enormous.”
As the strike persists, patients continue to bear the brunt of the industrial action. Many are forced to seek care elsewhere or endure long delays due to limited staffing. The situation underscores the growing strain on Nigeria’s healthcare system and the urgency for systemic reforms.
•INDEPENDENTNG.