Posted on: Wed 30-07-2025

Nigeria’s already strained healthcare system faces a looming collapse as two of the country’s largest health professional bodies — the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) — have declared industrial actions over longstanding welfare grievances. The coordinated unrest threatens to paralyze public healthcare delivery across the nation.

A Brewing Storm in the Health Sector

At the heart of the unrest is what both associations describe as the Federal Government’s persistent neglect of healthcare workers' welfare and poor implementation of previously agreed policies. While NANNM has already commenced a seven-day warning strike that began at midnight on July 29, the NMA has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the government, threatening a total and indefinite strike if their demands remain unmet.

The twin actions mark a significant escalation in the tension that has been building for months within Nigeria’s healthcare sector, with professionals citing deteriorating working conditions, unpaid allowances, and broken agreements as key reasons for their mounting frustration.

NMA’s Ultimatum: A Final Warning

Following an Emergency Delegates Meeting (EDM) held on July 26 in Abuja, the Nigerian Medical Association expressed deep disappointment over what it called the Federal Government’s lukewarm attitude toward resolving issues affecting doctors. The most contentious point of dispute is a circular issued by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC) regarding a revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), which the doctors say undermines previously negotiated terms.

In a communique jointly signed by NMA President Prof. Bala Audu and Secretary General Dr. Jamin Egbo, the association emphasized that the circular was only suspended and not withdrawn, despite earlier demands. The NMA also lamented the failure to pay seven months’ salary arrears linked to the 25/35% CONMESS adjustment and criticized the government for failing to implement Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) previously signed.

“The EDM unanimously condemned the attitude of the Federal Government to the welfare of its members,” the communique stated. “We issue a 21-day notice of a total and indefinite strike, effective July 27, 2025, should the Government fail to address our demands comprehensively.”

The NMA appealed to the government’s sense of duty, urging a swift response to prevent what could become a full-scale breakdown of medical services nationwide. It also charged its National Officers Committee (NOC) and National Taskforce on Negotiation and Implementation (NTNT) to intensify engagement efforts to achieve meaningful results.

Nurses Down Tools: Seven-Day Warning Strike Begins

While doctors prepare for a possible indefinite shutdown, nurses under the NANNM umbrella have already begun a seven-day nationwide warning strike. The strike, which affects all federal health institutions including Teaching Hospitals and Federal Medical Centres, followed the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued earlier this month.

In a circular signed by NANNM’s National Secretary, Comrade Enya Osinachi, the association ordered its members to withdraw services completely from 12:00 midnight on July 29. “This strike is total,” the notice declared, stressing that there should be no skeletal or partial nursing services during the action.

The union criticized the Federal Ministry of Health’s failure to respond to their demands, despite the extended window given for negotiations. NANNM leadership noted that earlier attempts to engage with government authorities yielded no results, prompting the nationwide industrial action.

Earlier in July, NANNM National Chairman Comrade Morakinyo Rilwan had decried the newly approved allowances for nurses, describing them as grossly inadequate. According to him, the new measures failed to address critical welfare concerns including poor compensation for night duties, weekend shifts, and call duties.

A Long List of Demands

Beyond remuneration issues, both associations are demanding broader reforms aimed at revitalizing the health sector. For nurses, key demands include:

• Establishing a Department of Nursing at the Federal Ministry of Health,
• Comprehensive review and increment of shift duty and specialist allowances,
• Provision of safe and conducive work environments,
• Equipping hospitals with modern facilities to discourage outbound medical tourism.

Doctors, on the other hand, are primarily focused on reversing the controversial CONMESS circular, implementation of CBAs, and prompt payment of salary arrears. Both groups, however, share common frustrations about neglect, poor infrastructure, and unsupportive policy frameworks.

A Sector at Breaking Point

The dual actions of the NMA and NANNM have sent shockwaves through the healthcare sector. Already, patients in federal facilities are being turned away, and many anticipate a complete system paralysis if the situation is not swiftly addressed.

Stakeholders have begun calling on the Federal Government to act decisively to avert a health crisis. Civil society groups, health advocates, and patient rights organizations have urged the government to urgently engage with union leaders and implement sustainable reforms that will improve the welfare of frontline workers.

With thousands of lives at stake, the Federal Government now faces a critical test of leadership. The days ahead will determine whether dialogue and accountability can restore calm — or whether Nigeria’s public health system will plunge further into disarray.

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