Public servants across Nigeria have been directed to embark on a three-day warning strike from October 2 to 4 over worsening economic hardship, high petrol prices and demands for a new national minimum wage.
The directive was issued by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), which called on workers in federal, state and local government services to participate in the industrial action.
In a circular dated October 1, 2026, and signed by the council’s National Secretary, Olowoyo Gbenga, the union leadership said the strike would commence at midnight on Friday, October 2, and end on Sunday, October 4.
The decision followed what the council described as the Federal Government’s failure to address its demands contained in a letter sent to President Bola Tinubu on September 21.
Workers Demand Petrol Price Reduction
One of the council’s major demands is a reduction in the pump price of petrol to ₦500 per litre to ease the financial pressure on workers and other Nigerians.
The JNPSNC argued that rising transportation costs and the prices of essential goods have continued to undermine workers’ purchasing power.
The council also called on the Federal Government to consider measures to reduce petroleum costs, including providing an intervention fund to address landing costs and supporting oil and gas operators.
It further urged the government to ensure that crude oil is supplied to the Dangote Refinery and modular refinery operators on appropriate terms to support domestic refining and potentially reduce the cost of petroleum products.
Council Seeks Immediate Wage Award
The public service workers are also demanding an immediate wage award to cushion the effects of prevailing economic hardship on employees, their dependants and vulnerable Nigerians.
The council said the financial strain had become increasingly difficult for workers to bear, warning that urgent intervention was necessary to improve their living conditions.
In the circular, the JNPSNC described the situation as one in which “the economic and mental hardships are becoming unbearable and frustrating.”
It urged its national and state leaders to begin immediate mobilisation and ensure that the strike notice reached workers across the country.
New Minimum Wage Negotiations
Another major demand is the immediate establishment of a tripartite committee to commence negotiations for a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027.
The council said early negotiations would help prevent administrative delays and ensure that the process of reviewing workers’ earnings begins in good time.
The JNPSNC had previously called for negotiations towards a new minimum wage of not less than ₦500,000, alongside its demands for lower petrol prices and an immediate wage award.
Workers Told To Mobilise Nationwide
The council directed public servants across the three tiers of government to participate in the planned action, describing it as a collective response to the economic difficulties confronting workers and their families.
It maintained that the warning strike would proceed following the expiration of its September 30 deadline without the desired response to its demands.
The development comes amid continuing concerns over the cost of living, particularly rising transportation expenses, food prices and other household costs.
The council expressed confidence in the planned action and urged its members to disseminate the strike notice across their respective workplaces and branches.
