Chaos in Nigerian Hospitals as Nurses Begin Nationwide Strike

Nurses have begun a nationwide strike, leaving patients stranded in federal hospitals across Nigeria, including Benue.

The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives – Federal Health Institutions Sector (NANNM-FHI) launched the strike on July 30, 2025.

Earlier, the union issued a 15-day ultimatum on July 14, demanding urgent action from the Federal Government.

That deadline passed without a response from the authorities, prompting the union to follow through with the strike.

As a result, patients now face long delays, cancelled treatments, and empty hospital wards across affected states.

Nurses and midwives across Benue, Lagos, Abuja, and Enugu have withdrawn services in protest.

They want the government to address poor working conditions and unfair allowances without further delay.

The union’s demands include shift allowances, uniform allowances, core duty pay, and a special nursing salary structure.

Nurses also seek fresh recruitment and the creation of a dedicated Nursing Department in the Health Ministry.

Union leaders accuse the government of ignoring repeated warnings and refusing to start negotiations.

Union representative Rilwan expressed deep disappointment during an interview on Tuesday.

“The government hasn’t reached out once,” he said. “We gave them 15 days. They wasted the chance.”

Rilwan added that nurses would not suspend the strike until real talks begin.

He emphasized the need for action, not empty words, from the government.

“This strike is our last option,” he said. “We can’t keep working in hardship.”

Meanwhile, hospitals in Benue are struggling to care for patients without nurses on duty.

Some patients have left hospitals after receiving no help for hours.

A man at Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, described his mother’s ordeal.

“I brought her early, but no nurse came near her,” he said. “By noon, they had all left.”

Now, doctors and junior staff must manage overwhelmed wards with no nursing support.

The ongoing strike has exposed serious gaps in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

If the strike continues, more patients may suffer or die from lack of timely care.

Nurses insist they will not return to work until the government meets all demands.

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