The Rivers State branch of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has directed all its members across public health institutions in the state to fully comply with the nationwide warning strike, which commenced at exactly 12:01 am on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
This directive mandates the complete withdrawal of services by all cadres of nurses and midwives, including interns, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, contract, and locum staff, from all government-owned hospitals and healthcare centres in Rivers State.
The instruction was outlined in a circular issued by the State Secretary of NANNM, Comrade Sikpi Linus. Referenced as NANNM/RSC/ADM/VOL.2/011, the memo was distributed to the State Administrative Council, as well as to all unit chairpersons and secretaries.
The circular emphasized: “Comrade, we reiterate that all Nurses and Midwives are expected to down tools as from midnight, Tuesday leading into Wednesday. Effective from 12:01 am, July 30, 2025, no Nurse or Midwife—be they interns, NYSC members, locum, or on contract—should be found in any government health facility rendering services. This is in strict adherence to the strike directive.”
It also warned that monitoring teams would carry out physical inspections across healthcare facilities in the state to ensure total compliance, cautioning that any member defying the order would face disciplinary consequences.
The memo further urged members to resist any attempt by hospital management or government officials to coerce them into undermining the collective effort. “Avoid falling into the trap of being used against your profession. Our unity in this strike will determine our success in the coming days,” it stated.
Reassuring members of legal and organizational support, the union added: “You are protected by the Association and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as you take part in this action for the betterment of your welfare and the health sector.”
“Together, we are strong,” the notice concluded.
Meanwhile, the nationwide strike by the Federal Health Institutions sector of NANNM is expected to severely affect healthcare delivery across the country. The seven-day warning strike, which commenced on Wednesday, targets 74 federal health facilities along with various state-owned hospitals and primary healthcare centres.
The strike is likely to cause widespread disruption in operations at teaching hospitals, federal medical centres, and other specialist hospitals across the federation.
The protest stems from several longstanding grievances, including inadequate salaries, poor working conditions, unpaid benefits, and a critical shortage of personnel.
On July 14, 2025, the union had issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, warning of impending industrial action unless urgent steps were taken. NANNM has since criticized the government for failing to initiate any talks or show a willingness to resolve the crisis.
Key demands from the association include an upward review of shift and uniform allowances, the introduction of a distinct salary scale for nurses, increased core duty allowances, large-scale recruitment of nurses, and the creation of a dedicated Nursing Department under the Federal Ministry of Health.
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Chronicles Reporters