The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Rivers State Council, has withdrawn the services of all nurses and midwives in government hospitals and health establishments across the state as its strike takes effect.
The action, which began at 12:01 am on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, is binding on all categories of nurses and midwives, including interns, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, locum, and contract staff.
The directive was contained in a circular with reference number NANNM/RSC/ADM/VOL.2/011, signed by Comrade Sikpi Linus, State Secretary, and addressed to the State Administrative Council and all unit chairmen and secretaries.
The letter read, “Comrade, this is to reiterate that all Nurses and Midwives are to withdraw services by this midnight (Tuesday against Wednesday) and by 12:01am of Wednesday 30th July, 2025, no Nurse or Midwife (including interns, NYSC, locum, contract or whatever name called) is expected to be seen in the hospitals and other Government establishments rendering any kind of service in total compliance with the strike mandate.
“The State monitoring team shall be moving from facility to facility to ensure 100% compliance and any member found to be on duty will be sorry.
“Kindly avoid the temptation of being used by Management/Government to betray yourself and your profession. Our collective strength in this strike shall be responsible for our success in the coming days.”
“Be rest assured of your protection by the Association and Laws of the Federation of Nigeria while embarking on this action to contribute to the changes you wish to see in the welfare of Nurses and the health sector,” it added.
“Together we are strong.”
The union is expected to continue the strike until further notice.
Healthcare delivery across Nigeria is set to face major disruption from Wednesday, as nurses under the umbrella of the NANNM, Federal Health Institutions Sector, begin a seven-day nationwide warning strike.
The industrial action will affect 74 federal hospitals, as well as state-owned hospitals and primary healthcare centres, potentially paralysing operations in federal medical centres, teaching hospitals, and specialist institutions.
The strike is in protest against a range of unresolved issues, including poor remuneration, critical staff shortages, unpaid allowances, and unsafe working conditions.
NANNM had issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government on July 14, 2025, demanding urgent intervention to avert the looming healthcare crisis. However, the union says the government has failed to respond or initiate any form of negotiation.
Among the nurses’ longstanding demands are the upward review of shift allowances, adjustment of uniform allowances, the creation of a separate salary structure for nurses, increased core duty allowances, mass recruitment of nursing personnel, and the establishment of a nursing department within the Federal Ministry of Health.
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