Nurses under the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) in Kwara State have joined the ongoing nationwide strike action called by the association’s national body over welfare concerns and working conditions.

The strike, which began on Wednesday, follows a directive from NANNM headquarters urging full compliance across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Chairman of the NANNM Kwara State Council, Alhaji Aminu Sheu, confirmed the union’s participation during an interview in Ilorin. He said the strike action was in response to the national directive, despite steps taken by the Kwara State Government to improve nurses’ welfare.

“We are joining the strike because it is the directive of the national body,” Sheu said. “There is no demand we have made that the Governor has not approved.”

He acknowledged recent wage increases granted by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, noting that salaries had been raised three times in alignment with federal guidelines. However, Sheu said the state chapter joined the strike in solidarity and to comply with union protocol.

At the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Chairperson of the NANNM chapter, Hajia Mariam AbdulAzeez, said the action followed the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government. She noted that several longstanding demands remain unresolved, particularly in regard to staffing and the structure of the federal health administration.

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

AbdulAzeez also cited a shortage of personnel due to the migration of nurses abroad, which she described as a key contributor to the poor nurse-to-patient ratio in many Nigerian health facilities.

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

She called on the federal and state governments to address the concerns raised by the association, adding that nurses were not inclined to strike actions but felt compelled to act due to prevailing conditions.