Afrobeats singer and performer, Iyanya, has taken to social media to express his admiration and support for a Nigerian nurse who defied a national strike to attend to her duties in a healthcare facility. The singer, moved by a viral video in which the nurse was mocked and ridiculed by her striking colleagues, pledged a ₦500,000 cash reward to commend her courage and dedication.
The trending video, which showed the nurse being humiliated by other health workers for not joining the ongoing strike action, sparked a wave of mixed reactions online. While some condemned her for breaking ranks with union demands, others hailed her as a symbol of selfless service in a system where essential workers are often caught between duty and protest.
Iyanya, in a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, publicly appealed for help in locating the nurse. He described her act as one borne out of deep compassion and professionalism, stressing that she deserves recognition and financial encouragement for choosing patients’ lives over personal or collective grievances.
“Can someone find her for me, I want to give her ₦500k,” the singer wrote. “She is not a health care worker for the money but for human lives. Someone find her for me, please.”
While his gesture has been widely praised, it also drew criticism from some social media users who argued that the nurse’s actions undermined the goals of the nationwide strike—often organized to demand better welfare for workers.
One user asked, “Why do some Nigerians love rewarding bad behavior?”
Iyanya responded strongly, defending the nurse’s decision. He explained that while the strike might have valid demands, essential services such as healthcare must be prioritized.
“What’s your definition of bad behavior? A nurse decided not to go on strike so she can save lives. Being at work is bad behavior to you? She is an essential worker and she deserves some compensation, and the way she was humiliated was wrong,” he retorted.
The singer, known for hit songs like Kukere and Ur Waist, has in recent years become increasingly vocal on social issues. Iyanya has also previously spoken about his personal losses and growth, as well as showing support for victims of tragedies and frontline workers across Nigeria.
This latest gesture has reignited public conversation around the ethics of strike actions in critical sectors like health, where lives are often at stake. While many Nigerians support the rights of workers to protest poor conditions and low wages, there is growing concern about the impact of such actions on vulnerable patients and emergency care.
Efforts are now underway among netizens and fans to help Iyanya locate the nurse so he can deliver the ₦500,000 reward. Many have praised the singer for highlighting the importance of individual responsibility and for recognizing those who serve quietly behind the scenes.
As of the time of this report, the nurse’s identity has not been publicly confirmed, but social media users continue to share the video in hopes of identifying her and ensuring she receives the appreciation Iyanya promised.