Nurses Plan to Join FCT Doctors' Strike

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Nurses Plan to Join FCT Doctors' Strike

Nurses in FCT Threaten Strike Over Unpaid Allowances and Poor Working Conditions

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses And Midwives (NANNAM) has issued a warning that it may go on strike if its demands are not met. The association is demanding payment for 13 months of unpaid hazard allowances and other outstanding arrears. In response, NANNAM has given the FCT Administration a 15-day ultimatum to resolve these issues or face an indefinite strike.

This move comes as resident doctors in the territory have already embarked on an indefinite strike over similar concerns. According to reports, nurses have been taking on additional responsibilities since the doctors' strike began, ensuring that patients receive care with special attention. If the doctors follow through on their threat, all general hospitals in the nation's capital could be forced to close in the coming days.

Worsening Infrastructure and Staff Shortages

In addition to the financial grievances, the nurses have raised concerns about the deteriorating condition of hospital infrastructure across the FCT. Speaking to journalists in Abuja late Tuesday night, NANNAM Secretary Comrade Nanman Philmon Kash highlighted that the decision to issue the ultimatum was made during a State Executive Council (SEC) meeting on July 24, 2025.

Kash pointed out that the association is also dealing with a severe shortage of specialized nurses, including General Duty Nurses, Midwives, Paediatric Nurses, Nurse Anaesthetists, Peri-operative Nurses, Intensive Care Nurses, and Accident and Emergency Nurses. She emphasized that the FCTA needs to recruit over 5,000 nurses to meet the World Health Organization (WHO) standard of one nurse per four patients. Currently, the ratio stands at one nurse per 30 patients, which she described as detrimental to both patient care and the health of the nursing staff.

“Our nurses are falling sick more often these days,” she said. “There is a need for urgent recruitment to keep up with the increasing and growing population of the FCT.”

Demands for Immediate Action

NANNAM has also protested the unauthorized stoppage of allowances for nurses working in rural and teaching hospitals. The association is calling for the immediate reinstatement of these allowances and the payment of all arrears since November 2024. Additionally, they have demanded the renovation of dilapidated nurses’ call rooms and duty rooms, as well as those for anaesthetists and peri-operative nurses in all FCTA hospitals.

The association criticized the non-remittance of pension deductions to administrators and the double deduction of pension contributions from members over the years. They also highlighted that promotions to certain cadres have not been carried out since 2023, as outlined in the unified scheme of service for nurses approved by the Head of Service of the Federation.

Other issues include the lack of key appointments of principal officers at the FCT College of Nursing Science in Gwagwalada since 2023 and inadequate accommodation for students at the institution. NANNAM has called for the construction of more hostel facilities to address this problem.

Additional Concerns and Calls for Compliance

Other concerns raised by the association include inconsistencies in salary payments via the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), the non-payment of overhead costs to departments, and a lack of training opportunities for nurses and midwives. The association also demanded a refund of all monies deducted from its members due to the ineffectiveness of the National Housing Authority.

The SEC has directed the leadership to issue the ultimatum to the FCTA, effective Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 12am, and expiring on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 12am. NANNAM has instructed all members in the FCT to comply with the ultimatum and subsequent strike actions.

“Unit leaders are hereby enjoined to mobilize our members for total compliance,” the association stated. This directive underscores the urgency of the situation and the determination of the nurses to see their demands addressed.

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