VICTORY: The Federal Ministry of Health Has Officially Approved the Work Hour Policy.

Dear Friends, Supporters, and Colleagues,

Two years ago, I launched this petition with a heavy heart, a burning vision, and a simple, non-negotiable truth: doctors are human beings, not machines, and no physician should be forced to work the next day after a continuous 24-hour call. Today, I am writing to you with tears in my eyes and a heart overflowing with gratitude.

It has been a long, painful, and grueling two years of relentless advocacy, late nights, and heavy emotional strain. Throughout this journey, the tragic reality of why we were fighting was never far from our minds. We painfully remember colleagues like Dr. Femi Rotifa, whom we lost after an exhausting 72-hour shift, and my dear brother, Dr. Saghir. Their memories weighed heavily on us at every step, reminding us why failure was never an option.

While we honor and remember them today, I am profoundly grateful that 4,774 of you stood by my side. You fought with me through every piece of advocacy, every Senate visit, every national presentation, and every international conference. When the road felt impossibly steep, your support kept the fire burning.

Over these two years, I read the comments you left on this petition:

I felt the weight when Fatima M reminded us that "a tired doctor is a health hazard," and when Msonter Anzaa wrote that "unhappy doctors cannot have happy patients."
I felt the tragedy in Fauziya Ja'afaru note about losing a friends husband to these grueling shifts, and the desperate plea from Dr. Muhammad Kasim: "We can't continue losing our lives in our efforts to save others."
I felt the solidarity of our nursing colleagues like Maria Temitope, who signed because she saw the sheer exhaustion in the wards, and doctors like Dr. Uju Obiekweihe, Dr. Aishat Mustapha, and Dr. Abubakar Bashir, who spoke out against the inhumane stress of 32+ hour shifts.
I held onto the words of Dr. Mutiyat Taiye: "We preach optimal health, we should also take care of our own health."

Today, I am most delighted and truly short of words to describe how happy I am to announce to you that 2 years ago we called for an end to this unsafe practice, and today, the Nigerian doctor finally has an official policy regulating their working hours.

The Federal Ministry of Health has officially approved the National Policy on Work Hour Regulation for Health Institutions in Nigeria.

For the first time ever in the history of healthcare in Nigeria, there is an official national framework establishing maximum weekly duty hours, capping continuous duty, and mandating post-call rest for healthcare workers.

What started as a petition on this screen has now become signed national policy. Today, we officially declare victory.

This victory belongs to every single one of you who signed, shared, commented, and refused to let this issue fade into silence. You proved that when we stand up together for human dignity and patient safety, change is not just possible—it is inevitable.

Please keep an eye on my Instagram space over the next few days ([@your_handle]), where I will be sharing the official victory declaration video, key breakdowns of the new policy, and what this means for all of us going forward.

Thank you for believing in the vision I had two years ago. Thank you for fighting with me. Today, a new era for healthcare in Nigeria begins.

With all my heart and everlasting gratitude,

Dr. Alamin Muhammad Usman Petitioner & Healthcare Advocate