Patients Stranded As Nurses, Midwives’ Strike Hits Hospitals Nationwide

The strike by nurses and midwives has paralysed medical activities in most hospitals in the country, leaving patients stranded.

Even though the nurses and the midwives in some states did not join the strike, our correspondents gathered that some medical and nursing students are filling the gaps in some hospitals, but the efforts are not enough.

The patients have called on the federal government to intervene and meet the demands of the nurses and the midwives so that they can return to work, as their lives are at risk.

FCT Doctors Overstretched, Patients Endure Long Waits at Hospitals

By Patience Ivie IHEJIRIKA, Abuja

A seven-day warning strike declared by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has disrupted hospitals nationwide, with doctors struggling to fill the gap left by striking nurses.

The strike, which began at midnight on 29 July 2025, followed the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued to the federal government over unmet demands. Since then, healthcare services have suffered, with outpatient departments becoming overcrowded and patients experiencing long delays in care.

A visit to several hospitals on Wednesday morning painted a bleak picture. At the National Hospital, Abuja, the Outpatient Department (OPD) was packed with patients, while a few overwhelmed doctors and health assistants tried to attend to them in the absence of nursing staff.

A similar situation was observed at the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, where a source revealed that the hospital was considering turning away new patients due to the manpower shortage. Special arrangements were reportedly being made for patients on oxygen, as there were no nurses available to monitor them.

Doctors, already stretched with their primary responsibilities, are now taking on additional duties usually handled by nurses, such as recording vital signs and administering medication.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP, Mr Maijamaa Adamu, Head of Information and Protocol at the National Hospital, said: “We are coping the hard way. It’s definitely not easy. The absence of nurses affects every aspect of hospital operations, and we can only hope for a quick resolution to save lives.”

He added that while doctors, nursing managers, health assistants, and other healthcare workers were doing their best, the gap left by the striking nurses was too large to fill.

“This strike isn’t something the hospital community welcomes, regardless of the reason. It has serious consequences for hospital operations. We’re hoping both parties reach an agreement quickly—lives are at stake.

“We’ll continue to make do with the workforce we have. The doctors are here, as are the senior nursing professionals. We also have health assistants and other healthcare staff. All of them, even without a strike, are crucial to delivering medical care. Now, with the nurses out, it’s even more stressful for those still working,” he said.

Comrade Joseph Awujah Akpi, NANNM chairman at the National Hospital, confirmed the strike was in full effect with strong support from members.

“Our members who were on overnight shifts were allowed to complete them before the strike began this morning,” he said.

He revealed that the National Hospital employs around 600 nurses, and their absence is already severely affecting hospital operations.

He stressed the need for greater recognition of the profession.

“Nursing is an independent profession. For a country as large as Nigeria, we still don’t have a Department of Nursing in the Federal Ministry of Health. This is long overdue,” he said.

He also noted that the hospital should ideally have nearly 1,000 nurses, but currently operates with fewer than 600, exacerbating the challenges during the strike.

LEADERSHIP learnt that the nurses; demands include: Among the union’s demands are: Gazetting of the revised nurses’ scheme of service approved by the National Council on Establishment (NCE) in 2016; Implementation of the 2012 National Industrial Court judgment in favour of nurses; Upward review of professional allowances for nurses and midwives; Mass recruitment of nursing staff and Improved healthcare infrastructure and Creation of a Department of Nursing in the Federal Ministry of Health among others.

A circular dated 25 July, signed by NANNM’s second national vice president, Orolu Sesan, and deputy general secretary, Elder Otaru Daniel Shaibu, instructed all state chapters to mobilise members if the government failed to meet the deadline.

“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 29 July 2025,” the circular stated.

As the strike enters its second day, hospitals continue to feel the pressure, and patients are left hoping for a swift resolution.

In Lagos, the strike commenced with nurses in the employment list of the federal health institutions staying off duty.

However, it was gathered that the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta, and Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, did not join the strike because they have not been part of the association for the past three years due to some internal issues concerning finances.

The National Chairman of NANNM-FHI, Morakinyo Rilwan, had previously clarified that they were not legally covered to participate in the strike because they are not legitimate financial members of the association.

 

Patients In Bayelsa Discharged

Patients in Bayelsa State were stranded on Wednesday as public hospitals discharged patients following a nationwide seven-day warning strike by nurses.

The strike, led by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), shut down services in most public hospitals, with union leaders ensuring strict compliance.

A visit to the Amarata Primary Health Centre in Yenagoa found the facility closed, while at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, patients wandered about the wards with little or no attention. Some who arrived early for appointments were still waiting hours later.

NANNM chairman at FMC, Yenagoa, Woyengibarafagha Progress, said the strike was total, with no skeletal services ongoing.

“We have nine demands, including improved professional allowances, better equipment, more nurses, and the creation of a nursing department in the health ministry,” he said.

He added that nurses were overworked and under-recognised despite being key players in the health sector. “In other countries, nurses are recognised and respected; in Nigeria, we are neglected. We say enough is enough,” Progress said.

National treasurer of NANNM, Comrade Amos Ombufa, said the union would issue another 21-day ultimatum after the warning strike, threatening an indefinite strike if demands were not met.

“All federal hospitals in the South-South zone are fully shut down. Compliance is total,” he stated.

FMC’s Public Relations Officer, Akpedi Bernard, admitted the strike had crippled services but said management had mobilised doctors and senior nurses to handle only critical cases.

At the FMC, only a few patients were seen moving around the wards without receiving prompt medical attention, with some saying they had been waiting to see a doctor since as early as 8 a.m.

One Mrs. Grace Ogidi, who brought her sick child to FMC Yenagoa, expressed frustration.

“I came as early as 7 am, hoping to see a nurse, but there was nobody to attend to us.

“My child needs care, and we don’t know where else to go. I just hope the government listens to them and ends this strike quickly,” she said.

 

 Activities paralysed in Nasarawa

In Nasarawa State, the strike paralysed services across hospitals.

At the Federal University Teaching Hospital in Lafia, nurses and midwives’ stations across wards are empty.

At the facility’s Surgical Ward, a patient Miss Julian Iowa told LEADERSHIP that the two nurses attached to the unit had not resumed duty.

A contact at the Medical Centre, Keffi, also confirmed that the nurses and midwives were not seen at the facility.

Comrade Alaku Ayuba, the association’s secretary, said the national body’s directive to withdraw services across hospitals in the country was being totally followed.

He said the seven-day warning strike was on across the 13 local government areas of the state.

In Benue State, correspondents gathered that the union embarked on the strike and is demanding, among other things, an improved welfare package, fair allowances and a conducive working atmosphere.

In a telephone interview with our correspondent on Wednesday, the State Chairman  of NANNM, Nurse Tahav Karshio, who spoke through his media aide, Nurse Moses Mhange, said that the strike commenced on Wednesday throughout the state.

 

 Trainee Nurses, Doctors filling the Gap in Sokoto

 

A visit to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, UDUTH, and the Sokoto State Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, revealed that some medical and nursing students on attachment/training at the hospitals were filling the gap.

A top management staff member at the State Specialist Hospital, who spoke to our correspondent under the condition of anonymity, said, ” Actually, our nurses and midwives joined the strike, but today being day one of the strike, the impact will not be felt immediately.”

Malam Nasir Arkilla, a relative of one of the sick patients, lamented the sudden strike without adequate prior notice.

“if I had known that the nurses would be going on strike and would not attend to my wife, I would not have consented to her being admitted last Friday,” he said.

In Niger State, it was observed that though the General Hospitals were offering skeletal services with some auxiliary health workers, those who were scheduled for major operations were rescheduled as the theatre nurses joined the strike.

At Primary Healthcare levels, the community health workers offered skeletal services as nurses were not on duty.

The state chairman of NANNM, Aliyu Adamu Muye, told LEADERSHIP that there was a significant level of compliance with the strike.

When asked via message about the government’s response to the strike, the commissioner for secondary and tertiary health, Dr Bello Tukur, did not respond, but a senior ministry official who preferred anonymity said the strike affected service delivery in hospitals.

 

 Kogi nurses fully comply with strike

 

Nurses in Government hospitals across Kogi state on Wednesday fully complied with the warning strike declared by their national secretariat to press home their demands.

When LEADERSHIP visited the Kogi State Specialist Hospital and the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Lokoja, no nurses were on duty.

A patient in the male ward, Isah Momoh, noted that the day of the strike was already affecting them negatively, as there were no nurses to attend to their needs. “It’s the nurses who administer drugs and injections to us. But now they are not around. He lamented

Speaking on the strike, Comrade Umar Suleiman Bako, the Kogi State chairman of NANNM, told our Correspondent that the nurses had withdrawn their services based on the directive of their national secretariat.

The chairman of NANNM at the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Lokoja, Abdulmalik Idris, listed their demands, which include Gazetting the 2016 Nurses’ Scheme of Service, implementing the 2012 Nigeria Industrial Court (NIC) judgement, upward review of professional allowance for nurses, recruitment of more nurses, and supply of equipment.

Others are the establishment of the Directorate of Nursing in the Federal Ministry of Health, inclusion of nurses in health policy-making institutional board, centralising internship posting for graduate nurses, recognizing consultancy status for nurses and a Consolidated Nurses Salary Structure (CONNURSS)

All efforts to get the Kogi State government to speak on the issue were abortive, as Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, the commissioner, was not in the office.

When contacted, the director of nursing in the state Ministry of Health also declined comment.

 

Monitoring committee ensuring compliance in Plateau

 

In Plateau State, a nurse told LEADERSHIP in Jos, the Plateau state capital, that all her members in teaching hospitals like the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Plateau State Specialist Hospital, and General and Cottage hospitals in the state complied with the directive to join the strike, adding that they had set up a monitoring committee to go around to ensure total compliance.

Our correspondent who monitored the development at JUTH and Plateau State Specialist Hospital observed that it was total compliance as many nurses were not seen on their duty post. Others who resumed duty were seen only sitting down and doing nothing.

Mrs Ladi Dauda and Mallam Yahuza Mohammad told our correspondent at the Plateau Specialist Hospital that if there is no sign of calling off the strike, they will make alternative arrangements to move their relatives to a private hospital in the state.

Efforts to speak to the Chief Medical Director (CMD) PSSH, Prof Christopher Yilgwan, on alternative arrangements to complement the shortage of nurses did not yield any results, as he did not pick up his calls when our correspondent called to inquire.

 

 Kwara: Relatives move out patients

 

In Kwara State, LEADERSHIP’s findings showed that nurses at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Sobi Specialist Hospital, Alagbado, and General Hospital, Ilorin, complied fully with the directive of their union’s national secretariat.

“The patients are being moved out of the hospital by their relatives since the nurses who will administer injections and drugs on the patients have embarked on a strike action this morning (Wednesday),” a senior staff at one of the hospitals told LEADERSHIP.

Another senior staff member at a General Hospital in the state, who pleaded anonymity, said:” Yes, the nurses in our hospital have commenced an industrial action. They had no choice since the directive was from the national secretariat of their association.

The state chairman of NANNM, Alhaji Aminu Sheu, confirmed that nurses in the state had embarked on strike in compliance with the directive of the union’s national secretariat.

 

Intern nurses helping out in Ebonyi

 

At the Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AEFUTHA) and the National Obstetrics Fistula Centre, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, the nurses joined their counterparts across the Federation in the industrial action.

When LEADERSHIP visited the Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital and the National Obstetrics Fistula Centre Abakaliki, only locum, contract, and Intern nurses were seen in the different wards of the hospitals attending to patients.

One of the locum nurses who spoke to LEADERSHIP on condition of anonymity said that attending to the patients’ needs has been difficult since the commencement of the strike.

A parent at the Children’s Outpatient Clinic Fetha 1 Abakaliki, Mr. Friday Nwite, told LEADERSHIP that he had to bring his two sick children to AEFETHA after visiting NOFIC and observing that the strike action had commenced.

 

When contacted, the Nigeria Labour Congress chairman in the state, Prof Oguguo Egwu, said that the union was in total support of the action, adding that it will help to rescue the health sector from total collapse.

 

Speaking to LEADERSHIP shortly after monitoring the level of compliance in the state, the deputy national president of the association, Comrade Obasi Bombles Uchenna said: “Even if we didn’t record 100 per cent compliance, we are able to record 95 per cent compliance.

 

Skeletal services in Abia

 

‎LEADERSHIP’s checks in Umuahia, the Abia State capital and inquiries from Aba and Ohafia indicated total compliance with the action.

 

‎The reception halls of the Federal Medical Centre, Abia Specialist Hospital, and the Abia State Eye Centre in the state capital were scanty, and services were also slow and skeletal.

 

Patients, who could not wait as there were no nurses or midwives to initiate procedures for their consultation, were noticed either going to private facilities or to their homes.

 

‎In a telephone chat, the commissioner for Health, Ogbonaya Uche said the government had been talking with the state chapter of the association.

 

‎‎Efforts to speak with the Federal Medical Centre’s medical director failed, as he was said to have “dashed out to attend a crucial meeting within the town.”

 

Doctors filling gaps in Calabar

 

At the University of Calabar, Cross Rivers State, nurses were absent at their duty posts. Doctors were seen performing both the nurses’ duty and their own duties.

 

 

 

Three doctors who declined to disclose their names were seen at the hospital wards. One of the doctors, Dr. Uwem (surname withheld), who spoke with LEADERSHIP, said he had no option but to perform the task since the nurses had downed tools.

Comrade Josephine Bassey, chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, said, “What the nurses are asking for is not too much for the government to meet.”

 

 Limited Services In Bauchi

 

Healthcare delivery across Bauchi State was thrown into uncertainty following partial compliance with the ongoing seven-day warning strike declared by nurses nationwide.

 

A visit by LEADERSHIP to several hospitals revealed that only a handful of nurses were present in critical units, while scores of patients waited helplessly for medical attention.

 

For instance, at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, our correspondent observed a sparse presence of nurses in the Accident & Emergency wards. Even in these critical units, the number of nurses on duty was grossly inadequate to handle the high volume of patients.

 

Chairman of the union’s Bauchi chapter, Comrade Ibrahim Maikudi, said a limited concession was granted for nurses to continue attending to the most critical cases on the strike’s first day.

Mixed compliance in Bornu

The strike crippled activities at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) and the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Maiduguri.

Speaking to our correspondent, the Chairperson of the Association in the UMTH Chapter, Halima Mustapha, said the warning strike was being complied seriously by the Association, adding that after seven days, they are going to return and give another ultimatum to the government, and if government fail to address their issues they will embark on total strike.

When LEADERSHIP visited the federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Maiduguri, to monitor the level of compliance by the striking nurses and midwives, patients were abandoned to their fate, with those who came for admission in the hospital turned back home.

Mohammed Yerima Abdullahi, who brought his elder brother who was suffering from severe typhoid and malaria, in addition to high blood pressure, was stranded in a tricycle that brought them to the hospital with neither a nurse nor a midwife nor anyone coming to their aid.

However, when our correspondent visited some of the State hospitals, especially Major General Mohammed Shuwa (rtd) Memorial Hospital, formerly the state’s nursing home, the situation was different, as nurses and midwives were on duty attending to patients.

When asked the reason for non-compliance, a senior nurse in the hospital said on the condition of anonymity that in the past, after such action, the federal workers who are the leaders would not come to the states or local government areas to monitor if the respective authorities were complying with the resolution reached just because they had been satisfied in their places.

Volunteers, Community Health Workers Drafted in  Jigawa

Patients are facing harsh conditions across public hospitals in Jigawa State, as nurses and midwives joined the ongoing nationwide strike.

 

During a visit to several hospitals, it was observed that at Dutse General Hospital, nurses and midwives had withdrawn their services, forcing doctors and other senior medical officers to work extended hours.

 

Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) were also asked to step in and take on additional responsibilities to help bridge the gap left by the strike.

 

In some hospitals, volunteers were seen offering support to patients, but pregnant women and children appeared to be the worst affected.

 

Responding to questions, Comrade Ibrahim Babangida, chairman of the Nursing and Midwifery Association in Jigawa State, confirmed that their members had joined the national strike and would continue to follow directives from the national headquarters.

Irate Patients Stage Protest March In Asaba

 

Aggrieved patients at Federal Medical Centre, (FMC), Asaba, Delta State, have protested against medical workers’ continued incessant industrial actions, especially nurses and midwives.

They called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive action to tackle the endemic industrial action in the health sector.

The protesters, without placards, assembled under billboards and trees within the hospital’s premises, complaining over what they described as ‘unbearable strike action embarked upon by the nurses in the hospitals.”

They alleged that many lives had been lost since the establishment of the hospital in Asaba due to strikes.

One of the patients, Mrs. Agnes Abiago, said there was barely a fortnight that different trade unions at the FMC Asaba did not embark on one industrial action or another.

 

A JOHESU executive member who does not want to be quoted said the matter was compounded as a result of alleged foot-dragging by the management of the hospital.

 

Kaduna, Enugu Shun Strike

As Nigerian nurses began a seven-day nationwide strike, nurses and midwives in Kaduna State public hospitals have shunned the industrial action.

Our correspondent, who visited Gwamna Awan General Hospital, Kakuri, observed that nurses and midwives were fully on duty, attending to patients.

Also at General Hospital, Sabon Tasha, the situation was the same as nurses and midwives were seen attending to sick people as usual.

 

A nurse in one of the general hospitals, who only identified her name as Esther, as she was not permitted to speak officially to LEADERSHIP, said,” We heard that nurses and midwives have started a seven-day strike, but in all Kaduna state government hospitals, work is going on. We are yet to join the strike. I don’t know the reason why we have yet to joined the strike.”

 

Meanwhile, at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika, an administrative staff member who pleaded for anonymity, told our correspondent on the telephone that nurses and midwives joined the strike.

 Nurses In Enugu Shun Strike

Nurses and midwives in Enugu also shunned the reported ongoing strike they were directed to embark on.

Patients at the different hospitals told our correspondent that the nurses and midwives are still attending to them despite.

Our correspondent, who visited Parklane Teaching Hospital and Polly Clinic both in Enugu, observed that the nurses and midwives rendered services to their patients.

One of the nurses, who did not want his name mentioned, said they did not receive any instruction to embark on a strike.

A nursing mother at one of the hospitals who described herself as Mrs Nkeiruka Obi said the nurses attended to her when she came with her child for an injection.

Mixed compliance in Ekiti

In Ekiti State, even though Comrade Samuel Adegbuyi, who spoke to LEADERSHIP in Ado Ekiti, stated that the compliance level to the warning strike was at its maximum.

 

At the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti (EKSUTH), a nurse who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity said, “Yes, we are supposed to embark on the strike starting from Tuesday, but our leaders have not yet directed us to join the industrial action.”