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Tag: Strike

  • Strike: We’ll not give preference to any patient – Nurses

    Strike: We’ll not give preference to any patient – Nurses

    The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NNurseANNM), Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owo chapter, says that it will not render services to patients during the seven-day warning strike irrespective of the case.

    Mr Coker Oluwasegun, Secretary of the association in the chapter, who spoke to NAN on Thursday, accused the Federal Government for not addressing the plights of nurses.

    “It is a total compliance. No leeway whatsoever.

    “The Federal Government has unfairly treated nurses over the years and here is the time for us to take the bull by the horn.

    “So, the fight is not against the management of Federal Medical Centre Owo as we had rightly informed the Medical Director and his team.

    “For more than two decades, uniform allowance remains N20,000 per year and in all other allowances, nurses get the least despite the fact that we are the major work force in health sector.

    “No equipment to actually work with in most of our hospitals making patients to see us as the one killing them. No good working conditions and environment,” he stated.

    He said that there were a lot of failed promises from the part of the Federal Government, stating that the warning strike would continue for seven days.

    “If our 12-point demands are not met, we will resume at the expiration of the seven-day warning strike.

    “Then, we will give the Federal Government another 21-day ultimatum before indefinite strike will commence,” he said.

  • Strike: 90% of our demands have no financial cost – NANNM

    Strike: 90% of our demands have no financial cost – NANNM

    The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has disclosed that 90 per cent of its demands to the Federal Government carry no financial implications.

    Mrs Josephine Bassey, Chairman of the Cross River State chapter of NANNM, said this while reacting to the seven-day warning strike embarked upon by the association, which began on Wednesday, July 30.

    Speaking to NAN on Thursday in Calabar, Bassey explained that most of the demands revolved around administrative issues such as implementing policy papers and enforcing court judgments.

    She added that another key demand was the gazetting of long-standing approvals by the National Council on Establishments.

    “Our demands include the gazetting of the nursing scheme of service approved since 2016 and the creation of a Department of Nursing in the Federal Ministry of Health. Another key demand is the centralisation of internship for nursing graduates,” she said.

    She added that other demands include the review of provisional allowances for nurses and midwives, as well as the appointment of nurses to the boards of federal and state health institutions. She also stressed the urgent need for the employment of more nurses due to severe staffing shortages.

    Bassey noted that compliance with the strike directive was total, with 100 per cent participation recorded on the first day.

    “We started as early as 7:30 a.m. to monitor all health facilities across the state to ensure full compliance,” she said.

    According to her, any nurse found violating the strike directive would have been forced out of work and sanctioned at the national level.

    “Nurses make up about 60 to 65 per cent of the healthcare workforce. If the government truly appreciates the critical role we play in healthcare delivery, it should address our demands promptly,” she stated.

    She acknowledged the impact of the strike on patients but urged the public to speak up in support of nurses.

    “We feel the pain of the patients, but we also urge them to cry out on our behalf to well-meaning Nigerians and the government, so our concerns can be addressed,” she said.

    Bassey added that nurses would immediately return to work once their demands were met.

  • Nurses at OAUTHC join nationwide strike

    Nurses at OAUTHC join nationwide strike

    The Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has joined the seven-day nationwide strike declared by the Association’s National Headquarters.

    Chairman of the association, Lawrence Oyeniyi, who disclosed this in an interview with NAN on Wednesday at the hospital complex in Ile-Ife, stated that the warning strike is aimed at drawing the federal government’s attention to the challenges faced by nurses across the country.

    According to him, nurses are frequently sidelined in the healthcare decision-making process, which negatively impacts the quality of service delivery.

    He also frowned at the current salary structure and allowances for nurses, describing them as inadequate.

    Oyeniyi noted that the last round of nurse recruitment at OAUTHC occurred in 2022, and the current workforce was overstretched.

    “Nurses are the largest workforce in the health sector and are always at the forefront, yet our welfare is constantly neglected by the government.

    “The workload is overwhelming due to a shortage of staff.

    “We appeal to the Federal Government to consider our demands and approve what is due to us,” he said.

    Oyeniyi warned that failure by the Federal Government to address their concerns within the seven-day warning strike period could result in an indefinite industrial action.

    A patient in the hospital’s Orthopaedic Male Ward, Mr Taiwo Adesanmi, also appealed to the Federal Government to meet the association’s demands, warning that the strike could cause significant hardship to patients if prolonged.

  • Strike: Nurses, midwives down tools nationwide

    Strike: Nurses, midwives down tools nationwide

    The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) on Wednesday proceeded on a nationwide strike to protest for improved welfare, fair allowances, and better working conditions.

    This is following a 7-day notice issued to the Federal Government. The notice, signed by National Secretary Nurse Enya Osinachi and released by President Nurse Morakinyo-Olajide Rilwan, was issued in Abuja last Monday.

    The notice explained that the action became necessary after a 15-day ultimatum, issued July 14, expired without a meaningful response from the Federal Government or Federal Ministry of Health.

    The strike, which started midnight Tuesday, July 29, involve total service withdrawal across all Federal health institutions.

    The association rejected a June 27 circular from the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC), calling for its reversal and demanding adjustments to various allowances, including shift, call duty, and retention.

    It urged the Federal Government to engage positively, highlighting that a well-supported nursing workforce was critical to quality healthcare outcomes and sustaining public health across all federal medical institutions in Nigeria.

    UCH nurses join nationwide warning strike, appeal to patients

    Meanwhile, the University College Hospital (UCH) chapter of NANNM, on Wednesday joined the nationwide seven-day warning strike called by the National Headquarters of the Association.

    The UCH NANNM branch commenced the strike after their Congress, and appealed to patients to bear with them.

    Mrs Olufunmilola Faminu, branch chairperson of the association explained that the strike was directed by the NANNM national headquarters after the Federal Government failed to meet their demands.

    She said that the association had demanded employment of more nursing personnel, provision of adequate facilities for the various hospitals and directorate cadre for nurses at the Federal Ministry of Health.

    Other demands made by the association she said were fair representation of the association at the Federal Ministry of Health, centralisation of internship training for nurses, review of the allowances for nurses and Midwives, among others.

    Faminu who expressed concern about the patients, said it was not their intentions to abandon them.

    “Sadly we are so concerned about our patients; we don’t intend to leave them stranded without our care.

    “Nurses provide compassionate, competent care across all settings. But we have no choice than to embark on this strike; we appeal to our patients to bear with us.

    “This is a just course that we are fighting for. Nurses are the only ones embarking on this strike. There are other healthcare professionals around to attend to any emergency.

    “The nationwide strike commenced officially midnight of July 29, and it will end on Aug. 5.  If our demands are not met after the warning strike, we will issue a 21-day ultimatum and proceed from there to an indefinite strike,” Faminu said.

    Oyo nurses to join nationwide 7-day warning strike Wednesday

    Also, the Oyo State chapter of NANNM has disclosed that it will join a nationwide seven-day warning strike starting Wednesday, July 30.

    This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Ibadan by the state NANNM Secretary, Mr Emmanuel Aina.

    Aina stated that the strike action followed a resolution reached at an emergency meeting of NANNM’s National Executive Council and a subsequent directive from the national headquarters.

    “I write to notify you that all nurses and midwives across all healthcare institutions, federal, state, and local government, are directed to embark on a seven-day warning strike.

    “The strike is scheduled to commence at midnight on Wednesday, July 30, and will run through August 5, 2025,” the statement read.

    Aina urged full compliance, adding that official communication regarding the union’s eight-point demand had been sent to relevant authorities.

    “This seven-day warning strike is a litmus test for our readiness to pursue a more serious struggle if our demands are not addressed,” he said.

    Aina said that among the union’s key demands is the implementation of the new minimum wage for nurses and other staff at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho.

    He added that the union was also calling for the payment of uniform allowances to all nurses and midwives in the service of Oyo State, in accordance with public service rules.

    Other key demands include: Mass recruitment of nurses and midwives into the Hospital Management Board and LAUTECH Teaching Hospital to address severe staffing shortages.

    Also, Implementation of a 25 per cent CONHESS adjustment circular for nurses and midwives in Oyo State service and implementation of enhanced hazard allowances for those working at the local government level.

    Aina emphasised that the strike was aimed at drawing attention to the urgent need for improved welfare and working conditions for nurses and midwives across the state.

    Kwara nurses join nationwide strike over welfare, working conditions 

    Similarly, the NANNM, Kwara Chapter, on Wednesday joined the ongoing nationwide strike to demand improved welfare, fair allowances, and better working conditions.

    The industrial action follows a directive from the national body of the association, which called for full compliance and solidarity across all 36 states and the FCT.

    In an interview with NAN in Ilorin on Wednesday, the Chairman of NANNM Kwara State Council, Alhaji Aminu Sheu, confirmed the commencement of the strike in the state.

    He noted that the Kwara chapter joined the strike in obedience to the national directive, in spite of efforts made by the state government to improve the welfare of nurses.

    “We are joining the strike because it is the directive of the national body.

    “There is no demand we have made that the Governor has not approved,” he said.

    Sheu also commended Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for increasing nurses’ salaries in the state for the third time in line with federal directives.

    “We joined the strike to show solidarity with the national body and to avoid any disciplinary consequences,” he added.

    Also speaking, Hajia Mariam AbdulAzeez, Chairperson of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) Chapter of NANNM, said the strike followed the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum given to the Federal Government.

    She emphasised that many of the union’s long-standing demands had not been met and that the working conditions for nurses remain poor.

    “We want the Federal Government to create a dedicated Department of Nursing under the Federal Ministry of Health. Other sister unions have such departments; it is unfair that we do not,” she said.

    AbdulAzeez further highlighted the issue of staff shortages, attributing it to the “Japa syndrome,” which had  led to a significant number of nurses leaving the country for better opportunities abroad.

    “Globally, the nurse-to-patient ratio should be 1 to 4, but in Nigeria, one nurse may be responsible for up to 30 patients. In some facilities, it’s even 1 to 10,” she said.

    She appealed to the government at all levels to urgently address their grievances, stating that nurses were not strike-friendly but were driven by concern for the well-being of Nigerians.

  • We’re still on strike – Yobe varsity ASUU

    We’re still on strike – Yobe varsity ASUU

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Yobe State University (YSU) chapter, said it has not called off the strike it embarked upon on July 11.

    Its Chairman, Dr Ahmed Karage, made this known in a statement in Damaturu on Monday.

    He said that although the consequential adjustment for the N70,000 minimum wage was implemented in July, the union’s other demands had not been met by the state government.

    Karage listed the unaddressed demands to include the implementation of academic staff promotions as approved by the university council and payment of promotion arrears from 2018 to 2025.

    Others are the payment of arrears for minimum wage consequential adjustment from 2019 to 2024, 35-25 per cent salary award for Professors and other ranks from 2023 to 2025 and arrears of N70,000 minimum wage from January 2024 to June 2025.

    The chairman called on the public to bear with the union, promising that the strike would be called off after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the union and the state government.

  • Lagos medical doctors to begin three-day warning strike, tomorrow

    Lagos medical doctors to begin three-day warning strike, tomorrow

    Medical doctors employed by the Lagos State Government have announced a three-day warning strike.

    The industrial action is scheduled to commence at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, July 28, 2025, in protest against what they described as the unlawful and disrespectful deduction of their salaries by the state.

    Operating under the Medical Guild, the doctors said the strike action follows failed efforts to resolve the dispute through dialogue.

    The chairman of the guild, Dr Japhet Olugbogi, at a press briefing at the union’s secretariat explained that the impasse began in April 2025 when the state government unilaterally deducted salaries from medical and dental officers without prior consultation.

    He noted that although many of their members initially demanded an immediate strike, the Guild’s leadership opted to pursue a more diplomatic route through negotiation and advocacy.

    However, the Guild accused the Lagos State Treasury Office of going contrary against an agreement reached by implementing another round of deductions in July, which triggered the decision to embark on the warning strike.

    The Guild is demanding an immediate reversal of the July salary deductions and full payment of 12-month revised CONMESS arrears owed to honorary consultants at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH.

    The union also issued a 21-day ultimatum, warning that failure to meet its demands could lead to an indefinite strike.

  • Organised labour suspends strike in Ogun

    Organised labour suspends strike in Ogun

    The Organised Labour in Ogun State has suspended the strike it directed civil servants to embark on July 14.

    This is contained in a statement tagged:” Notice of Suspension of Strike ” by Mr Ademola Hameed – Benco, the Chairman of the Ogun Chapter, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) , on Tuesday in Abeokuta.

    Hameed-Benco said the strike was suspended after numerous engagements with the state government.

    “Decisively, the state Organised Labour partook in numerous engagements with the state government, the outcome of which produced this signed Memorandum of Action ( MoA).

    “Therefore, the industrial strike, which began on July 14, be put on hold, so as to give space and time to the implementation of actions spelt out in the MoA.

    “Resumption of work , therefore, takes effect from Wednesday, July 23 2025,” he said.

    According to him , other reasons for calling-off the strike are the interventions of revered paramount rulers , leadership of various unions , veterans home and abroad.

    “The state government has also promised to commence full implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) for the state workers from this month (July) 2025,” he said.

  • Doctors to begin nationwide strike after ultimatum

    Doctors to begin nationwide strike after ultimatum

    As the 21-day ultimatum it issued to the Federal Government draws to a close on July 23, the Nigerian Medical Association has warned it will ground medical services nationwide if the government fails to meet its demands.

    Its President, Prof Bala Audu, who confirmed this in an exclusive interview The Punch on Sunday, noted that the association was prepared to take decisive action should the government fail to respond adequately to its demands.

    Prof Audu stressed that the association’s demands were critical to the survival of Nigeria’s healthcare system and the welfare of medical professionals across the country.

    The NMA had, on July 2, issued an ultimatum in protest against a circular from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission on revised allowances for medical and dental officers in the federal public service, which the doctors kicked against for violating prior agreements.

    The association issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to withdraw the circular and meet its other demands to avert industrial action in the health sector.

    “We have made our position clear. The ultimatum ends on July 23, and if the Federal Government does not address our demands, we may have no choice but to proceed with a strike,” he said.

    According to him, the circular contains provisions that were not mutually agreed upon and which undermine the remuneration and welfare of medical professionals.

    “We have rejected that circular outright. We expect that any new directive affecting our members should be the outcome of mutual consultation, not something imposed,” he stated.

    Prof Audu disclosed that the NMA had been engaging with the Federal Government to avert a crisis.

    “The last meeting happened two weeks ago and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate; the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako; the Permanent Secretary, the Director of Hospital Services, and the representative of minister of labour were at the meeting, and some affiliate of the NMA were present, and I was part of that meeting as well.

    “The minister appreciated us, then he spoke about the issues as contained in the list of demands from the NMA.

    “However, he felt that we should go for a further meeting, and another meeting was slated for last week, unfortunately, in the week, we lost the former President Muhammadu Buhari, so the meeting couldn’t be held.

    “However, the next meeting is supposed to happen between us, the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, which issued a circular that we feel is obnoxious, and we have rejected it. We would also meet with the Ministry of Finance and representatives from the Ministry of Health,” he added.

    The NMA president expressed concern that time was running out, adding that unless the meeting was held within the next few days, the association may be left with no other alternative but industrial action.

    “We expect that after the funeral ceremonies, government stakeholders will reconvene with us, hopefully by Monday. Otherwise, the 21-day ultimatum still stands.

    “If the government fails to prioritise this matter, a strike may be inevitable,” he added.

    The Katsina State NMA branch, in a communique issued after its State Executive Council meeting, expressed “grave disappointment” and “unequivocal condemnation” over the circular.

    The meeting, held in Katsina, on Saturday, noted that “NMA Katsina State branch hereby rejects National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission’s (NSIWC) circular (SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646) dated 27th June, 2025 on review of allowances for medical/dental officers in the federal public service and demands urgent government withdrawal action and fulfillment of all the demands.”

    The communique, made available to newsmen on Sunday, was jointly signed by the Chairman, NMA Katsina, Dr Muhammadu Sani and Secretary, Dr Yahya Salisu.

    The association warned that it could not guarantee non-disruption of health services if their demands were not met.

  • Katsina NMA threatens strike

    Katsina NMA threatens strike

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Katsina state chapter, has threatened to embark on strike, over a purported Federal Government circular on salary adjustments for medical and dental practitioners in Nigeria.

    This is contained in a communique signed by Dr Muhammadu Sani-Abubakar and Dr Yahaya Salisu-Sodangi, the state NMA Chairman and Secretary respectively and issued to newsmen on Sunday in Katsina.

    The communique followed their State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held on Saturday in Katsina.

    The NMA Katsina state branch expressed disappointment and unequivocal condemnation over the issue.

    “It’s grossly inadequate, misleading and a flagrant violation of the spirit and letter of agreements reached during the collective bargaining process between NMA and the government of Nigeria.

    “We hereby reject national salaries, incomes and wages commission’s (NSIWC) circular (SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646) dated June 27, 2025 on review of allowances for medical/dental officers in the Federal public service.

    “The NMA demands urgent government withdrawal action and fulfillment of all our demands.

    “We cannot guarantee a non-disruption of health services if our demands are not met,” the association warned.

    It said it expects the government to address their demands as outlined by the National Official Committee (NOC) on July 2.

    It also noted that the healthcare sector was on the brink due to unfulfilled promises and poor welfare for doctors.

    “NMA condemns the circular purportedly issued to address the consequential adjustment of allowances under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS, for medical and dental practitioners in Nigeria.

    “This is with the immense and urgent brain drain experienced across the nation and the debilitating effect of work burnt-out our members are exposed to on a daily basis.

    “The government ought to have improved the welfare, remuneration and social services that will boost the morale of the remaining doctors that have sacrificed to serve our dear fatherland.

    “Instead, the silent and unfulfilled promises made by successive governments have pushed the healthcare sector to the brink.

    “The biting economic crisis and reduction in purchasing power has made the income nothing to show for,” the communique read in part.

    The NMA noted that their members are dedicated and hardworking and it was only right for the government to leave up to their responsibilities of ensuring a healthier society.

    It further said that with the expiration of the 21 days grace period, they are solidly behind the NOC stance and decisions to embark on strike.

    “We hereby expect that attention will be given to our demands as earlier released by the NOC on July 2, 2025.

    “We cannot guarantee non-disruption in the health services rendered to the Nigerian people at the expiration of such,” the communique stated.

  • Strike paralyses activities at Bayelsa polytechnic

    Strike paralyses activities at Bayelsa polytechnic

    The shutdown of Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe in Bayelsa by Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) has persisted for nine days following a face-off between workers and management of the institution over deductions of union dues.

    Union leaders said that the institution would remain under lock until the Rector and Governing Council Chairman are removed to pave way for the face-off to be resolved.

    NASU had on July 11 shut down the institution over withheld June salary and non-remmittance of four months union dues of its members.

    The aggrieved workers locked up the institution’s liaison office in Yenagoa, the main campus at Ekowe and the residence of the Rector in Yenagoa.

    The management of the polytechnic on Thursday released the withheld June salary of NASU members but failed to remit outstanding union dues.

    The Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe chapter of NASU vowed that the institution would remain under locks until the check-off dues dispute is resolved.

    Mr Etebu Ebifiye, NASU Chairman, in the polytechnic told NAN that the non-remmittance of union dues by the management was a breach of labour laws and a threat to industrial harmony.

    According to him, the non deduction and remittance of union dues from members’ salaries was an existential threat to NASU at the polytechnic located on the bank of River Nun in Southern Ijaws Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

    Ebifiye said that the rector directed the payment of the withheld salary without remitting check-off dues for June in addition to January, February, March ænd April 2025 which triggered an industrial action in the institution.

    He explained that although the Rector had called for truce to end the industrial action, only a reversal of the four months check-off dues and removal of the Rector will make the workers shift grounds and unlock the institution.

    “We have been occupying the polytechnic’s liaison office in Yenagoa since July 11. The Rector had tried in vain to use force to disperse us by making a false report that we are vandalising the Polythecnic’s facilities.

    “Armed security men in four vans came to forcefully open the gates but when they saw no sign of vandalism, they left. We cannot resort to vandalising property left in our care. It is our property and we are poised to protect and not vandalise.

    “We have occupied this place and kept vigil here and until the check-off dues is restored, we go nowhere. The Rector has called me and I told him our stand. We are waiting for him to act and we unlock the gates,” the labour leader said.

    Ebifiye noted that NASU members were tacitly denied promotion as their appraisal forms were not endorsed.

    He said: “The rector is not worker-friendly, he has demonstrated that he lacks capacity to run the institution, what he did is an attempt to kill the union and we will not succumb to his whims and caprices, we shall ensure that we fight till he is removed from office.

    “He directed all the Heads of Departments and the Deans that NASU members should not be appraised, a decision that affects the career progress of hundreds of our members

    “As long as NASU members are excluded from the promotion , we will make sure that the promotion exercise doesn’t hold here,” Ebifiye said. .

    However, in his reaction, Mr Nimizuo Pereseigha, Public Relations Officer of Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe said that the management remains committed to peaceful resolution of the dispute through dialogue.

    He explained that NASU leadership has been rebuffing moves by management to discuss and resolve the labour crisis.

    “The management got reports from the workforce that some workers have their union dues remitted to unions they do not belong to. Some workers also got upgraded for instance from non academic to academic cadre and their union dues still go to NASU whereas they now belong to Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics ASUP).

    “To resolve this the management asked the three unions we have here to have their members update their membership status and endorse consent forms.

    “Out of three unions, ASUP, NASU and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), ASUP and SSANIP complied and submitted consent forms to validate their memberships but NASU refused to comply.

    “Consequently, management deducted union dues for the two unions that regularised the status of their members and for NASU members, 100 per cent of their salaries were paid without deduction of the two per cent union dues,” Pereseigha said.

    On the alleged exclusion of NASU members from promotion, Pereseigha said that while the NASU members were on strike, the members of other unions completed and submitted their performance assessment forms only to turn back to blame the Rector, Dr Lukman Adegoke for a process concluded while they were on strike.

    Pereseigha noted that the management as part of efforts to resolve the dispute has asked NASU members to fill and submit their appraisal forms to participate in the promotion exercise but they have yet to respond.

    The Public Relations Officer said that a reconciliation meeting has been scheduled to hold on Sunday evening to chart a way out of the crisis.