Federal Government Pleads with Striking Nurses and Midwives as Health Services Face Growing Disruption Nationwide

A nationwide warning strike declared by the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has drawn a swift but cautious reaction from the Federal Government. Authorities are now urging health workers to return to duty while discussions continue toward a long-term resolution of their demands.

The nurses and midwives began a seven-day warning strike on Wednesday, ignoring pleas from government officials to hold off. They are calling for improved welfare packages, fairer allowances, and overall better working conditions, especially in federal health institutions. Their decision to down tools has caused growing anxiety among patients and health sector stakeholders, who fear the consequences of a prolonged walkout.

The Federal Government, through the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, has appealed to the association to call off the industrial action and return to the negotiation table. Speaking on behalf of the government, Dingyadi emphasized the importance of dialogue and reiterated that efforts are underway to resolve the issues raised by the health professionals.

A statement issued by Patience Onuoha, Head of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Labour, confirmed that a preliminary meeting between the ministry and representatives of NANNM was held on Tuesday. The meeting was part of government efforts to persuade the union to cancel the planned strike. However, that appeal failed to stop the action from commencing on Wednesday.

Further engagements are planned, with the next meeting scheduled to take place on Friday at the Federal Ministry of Health. According to the statement, the goal of the ongoing discussions is to reach a consensus that will address the grievances of the nurses while safeguarding the stability of the healthcare sector.

Nurses across various federal hospitals have been seen exiting wards and clinics as the strike takes effect. Some hospitals have started scaling down non-emergency services, leaving patients who rely on routine care with few options. Already, the effects are being felt in maternity wards, emergency units, and outpatient departments, particularly in busy urban centers like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.

Leaders of NANNM insist that the warning strike is a last resort after several failed attempts to have their concerns taken seriously. They accuse the government of neglecting critical welfare issues and failing to fulfill past agreements. One of the major complaints raised by the association involves delayed promotion benefits, inconsistent hazard allowances, and insufficient staffing in many facilities.

According to union officials, nurses have been overstretched and underpaid for too long. They argue that the healthcare system cannot continue to function effectively if the well-being of frontline workers is ignored. By initiating the warning strike, they aim to send a clear message that their patience has limits.

Despite the strike action, NANNM has made it clear that emergency services will still be handled by a skeletal workforce to avoid putting lives at risk. However, they warn that if the government fails to act quickly and meet their demands, a full-blown strike could follow after the warning period ends.

The Ministry of Labour, in response, is calling for restraint, urging the nurses to consider the impact of the strike on public health. Minister Dingyadi stressed that constructive dialogue remains the best path forward and assured the union of the government’s commitment to improving working conditions across the board.

Reactions from the public have been mixed. Some Nigerians sympathize with the striking health workers, acknowledging the difficult conditions under which they operate. Others fear that continued industrial actions in the health sector will worsen access to medical services and endanger lives, particularly among vulnerable groups like pregnant women, the elderly, and children.

Medical associations and civil society groups are also weighing in, calling on both parties to act responsibly and reach a fair agreement without delay. Some have suggested the involvement of neutral mediators or third-party arbitration to help break the deadlock.

As the standoff continues, attention now turns to Friday’s meeting at the Federal Ministry of Health. Observers hope that the dialogue will yield tangible results before the warning strike escalates into a full-scale shutdown. Both sides acknowledge the urgency of the situation, but the question remains whether goodwill and political will are strong enough to bring lasting change to Nigeria’s troubled healthcare sector.