Nigerian public service workers have threatened to embark on a three-day warning strike from October 2, 2026, if the Federal Government fails to address their demands over petrol prices, wage awards and negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), Trade Union Side, gave the government until September 30 to meet its demands, warning that failure to act would leave workers with no option but to embark on industrial action.
The council’s National Secretary, Olowoyo Gbenga, who is also the General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, The News Edition reports.
Workers Demand N500 Petrol Price
One of the council’s major demands is for the Federal Government to reduce the pump price of petrol to N500 per litre.
To achieve this, the workers proposed establishing an intervention fund to cover landing costs and support oil and gas operators. They also urged the government to ensure adequate crude oil supplies to the Dangote Refinery and modular refinery operators.
The council described petrol prices ranging from N1,450 to N2,500 per litre in some parts of the country as unacceptable, arguing that the high cost was putting pressure on workers and their families.
Demand for Immediate Wage Award
The workers also called for the immediate payment of a wage award to cushion the effects of rising living costs.
According to the council, the payment would provide financial relief to public servants and other vulnerable Nigerians struggling with the increasing cost of living.
It added that improved workers’ welfare was necessary to sustain productivity and commitment within the public service.
Workers Seek New Minimum Wage Negotiations
The third major demand is the immediate establishment of a tripartite committee to begin preparations for negotiations on a new national minimum wage expected in 2027.
Gbenga warned that delaying the process could create a gap between the expiration of the current wage framework and the implementation of a new one.
He said the committee should be constituted early enough to allow negotiations and other statutory procedures to be completed without delaying the introduction of the new minimum wage.
Strike to Begin October 2
The council warned that it would mobilise public servants for a three-day warning strike beginning Friday, October 2, if the Federal Government failed to address the demands by September 30.
It also urged President Bola Tinubu to use his Independence Day address to respond to the concerns raised by workers.
According to the council, the three issues are central to workers’ welfare and purchasing power and require urgent government intervention.
The planned industrial action is intended to pressure the Federal Government to address the workers’ demands before the expiration of the deadline.