Public servants across Nigeria have threatened to embark on a three-day nationwide warning strike from October 2, 2026, if the Federal Government fails to address their demands concerning petrol prices, wage support and negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), which comprises eight public-sector unions, issued the ultimatum amid continuing concerns about the rising cost of living and the impact of fuel prices on workers’ purchasing power.
Workers Demand Petrol Price Reduction
The council has called for a reduction in the pump price of petrol to ₦500 per litre and an immediate wage award to provide relief for workers facing increased living expenses.
It has also demanded the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage of at least ₦500,000 from 2027.
The council said it had previously written to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on September 21, setting out its demands and calling for measures to cushion the effects of economic hardship on public servants.
Eight Public-Sector Unions Involved
The JNPSNC comprises eight unions representing workers across different areas of public service.
They 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.
Other members represent public corporations, technical and recreational services, printing and publishing, and agricultural employment.
The council said it had mobilised workers nationwide for the proposed warning strike if the government failed to address its demands by the stated deadline.
Potential Impact on Public Services
If implemented, the strike could disrupt administrative activities and services in affected public institutions during the three-day period.
The dispute highlights continuing tensions between organised labour and the Federal Government over workers’ incomes, fuel costs and the cost of living.
The proposed action remains conditional on the government’s response to the unions’ demands. The status of the strike should be confirmed against the latest statements from the council and government before publication.