The Take It Back (TIB) Movement has strongly condemned the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) for threatening contract nurses with salary withholding should they join the ongoing nationwide strike action.
The group demanded immediate withdrawal of the order and threat, describing it as barbaric and a tyranny against struggling nurses.
Reporters earlier reported that the institution directed all its locum nurses to remain at their duty posts despite the ongoing seven-day nationwide warning strike declared by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).
The directive was issued in an internal circular dated July 30, 2025, referencing a national order by the Nigerian Nurses and Midwifery Council, which the NANNM UMTH branch had earlier relayed. The circular confirmed that the strike began at midnight on July 29, 2025.
The statement was signed by Mohammed Abba Ali, Assistant Director Admin/Clinical, on behalf of the Chief Medical Director.
Reporters earlier reported that the strike action, declared by nurses and midwives across federal health institutions under NANNM-FHI, has left thousands of patients stranded nationwide.
The union said the strike followed the Federal Government’s refusal to meet its demands, despite a 15-day ultimatum issued on July 14, 2025.
In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, the pro-labour movement described the directive issued by UMTH as “a dangerous act of tyranny” and demanded its immediate withdrawal.
TIB stated that such threats undermine fundamental rights and are indicative of institutional repression.
“Threatening a salary stoppage for exercising their rights is barbaric. We demand an immediate reversal. Labour rights are human rights!” the movement added.
The Take It Back Movement has been vocal in its advocacy for workers’ rights and social justice.
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