Public servants under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), backed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), have reaffirmed plans to embark on a three-day warning strike from October 2, 2026, if the Federal Government fails to address their demands by the September 30 deadline.
Newsonspot reports that the council said the proposed industrial action is being driven by concerns over the rising cost of petrol, the need for an immediate wage award and preparations for negotiations on a new national minimum wage.
The JNPSNC, which comprises eight public sector unions, had written to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on September 21, outlining its demands and proposing a minimum wage of not less than ₦500,000 from 2027.
In a statement, the council’s National Secretary and General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Gbenga Olowoyo, said the September 30 ultimatum remained unchanged.
According to Olowoyo, the council expects the Federal Government to address the issues, particularly petrol prices and the wage award, in the President’s Independence Day address.
Demand for ₦500 Petrol
One of the major demands of the unions is an immediate reduction of the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, to ₦500 per litre.
The council said petrol currently sells for between ₦1,450 and ₦2,000 per litre in different parts of the country, while prices in some locations outside major cities and communities have reportedly risen to as high as ₦2,500 per litre.
The unions argued that the high cost of fuel has severely affected workers’ purchasing power and placed significant pressure on households and other vulnerable Nigerians.
The JNPSNC called on the Federal Government to provide an intervention fund to address landing costs and support oil and gas operators.
It also urged the government to ensure that crude oil is sold to the Dangote Refinery and modular refinery operators at appropriate terms to encourage increased domestic refining and help reduce the cost of petroleum products.
Workers Demand Wage Award
The council is also demanding an immediate wage award for Nigerian workers as a temporary measure to cushion the impact of rising living costs and prevailing economic hardship.
The unions said the intervention would help workers, their dependants and vulnerable Nigerians cope with the effects of high fuel prices and inflation.
The council further argued that addressing the demand would enable public servants to maintain their loyalty, commitment and productivity within the public service.
Push For 2027 Minimum Wage Talks
Another major demand is the immediate constitution of a committee to begin preparations for negotiations on a new national minimum wage expected to take effect in 2027.
The JNPSNC said the early establishment of the committee would help prevent administrative and procedural delays that could affect the implementation of a new minimum wage after negotiations are concluded and the necessary legislation is passed by the National Assembly.
The council had proposed a minimum wage of at least ₦500,000 from 2027.
October 2 Strike Deadline
Olowoyo maintained that the September 30 deadline given to the Federal Government remained sacrosanct.
The council warned that failure to address the demands by the deadline would leave its members with no option but to commence a three-day warning strike from Friday, October 2, 2026.
If the action proceeds, it could affect operations across federal and state public institutions, administrative offices and other public services.
The unions said the concerns of Nigerian workers require urgent government attention, stressing that the ongoing economic hardship continues to affect workers, their families and the wider population.
Unions Under JNPSNC
The eight unions under the JNPSNC include the Nigerian Civil Service Union; Medical and Health Workers Union; Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria; and National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives.
Others are the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Employees; Nigeria Union of Public Service, Reportorial, Secretarial, Data Processors and Allied Workers; National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers; and National Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees.
The council said its proposed strike is intended to press the Federal Government to urgently respond to the issues affecting the welfare and purchasing power of Nigerian workers.
