Doctors, nurses threaten shutdown over poor welfare

 

Nigeria’s health sector is set for another major crisis, as both the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, have issued strike notices over longstanding grievances against the Federal Government, raising fears of a total collapse of public healthcare services.

While the NMA, has handed the Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum to meet its demands or face a total and indefinite nationwide strike by medical doctors, nurses under the aegis of NANNM, yesterday began a seven-day warning strike following the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum, shutting down nursing services in federal hospitals across the country.

NMA issues ultimatum

Rising from its Emergency Delegates Meeting, EDM, held on July 26, 2025, in Abuja, the NMA expressed disappointment over the lingering negotiations with the Federal Government on issues affecting doctors’ welfare, especially the controversial circular from the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, NSIWC, on the review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Scale, CONMESS.

According to a communique signed by NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu and Secretary General, Dr. Jamin Egbo, the circular was only suspended, not withdrawn, as the NMA had demanded.

The meeting was convened at the instance of the National Officers Committee, NOC, in response to delays in the payment of seven-month arrears from the 25/35% CONMESS adjustment, failure to implement previously signed Collective Bargaining Agreements, CBAs, and the government’s general neglect of the health sector.

The communique reads in part, “The EDM following extensive deliberations unanimously condemned the attitude of the Federal Government to the welfare of its members and the persistent attitude of government officials to issues affecting Nigerian doctors,”

“The EDM issued a 21-day notice of a total and indefinite strike in line with the relevant labour laws effective from July 27, 2025 should the Government fail to address its demands comprehensively within this period.