ABUJA: Public servants across Nigeria have commenced a three-day warning strike following a directive by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, JNPSNC, over demands relating to petrol prices, workers’ welfare and preparations for negotiations on a new national minimum wage.
The warning strike is scheduled to run from midnight on Friday, October 2, until Sunday, October 4, 2026.
The JNPSNC directed workers across the federal, state and local government services, including employees of ministries, departments and agencies, to participate in the industrial action. The directive followed what the council described as the Federal Government’s failure to address demands submitted to President Bola Tinubu in a September 21 letter.
The council said the warning strike was necessary to draw attention to what it described as worsening economic pressure on workers, their dependants and vulnerable Nigerians.
The JNPSNC had earlier given the Federal Government a September 30 deadline to respond to its demands.
After President Tinubu’s Independence Day address on October 1 did not address the specific requests made by the council, the union leadership directed its affiliates to proceed with the planned industrial action.
The council’s National Secretary, Olowoyo Gbenga, issued the directive in a circular dated October 1, 2026, addressed to national and state officials of unions affiliated with the JNPSNC.
One of the central demands of the public sector unions is a reduction of the price of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol, to N500 per litre.
The council argued that the prevailing petrol prices were placing significant financial pressure on workers and other Nigerians.
According to the JNPSNC, petrol prices currently range from about N1,400 to N2,000 per litre depending on location, while prices could be higher in some areas.
The union said the Federal Government should consider an intervention fund to address landing costs and support operators in the oil and gas sector.
It also called for crude oil to be supplied to the Dangote Refinery and modular refinery operators on terms that would support increased domestic refining and potentially reduce petroleum product prices.
The unions are also demanding an immediate wage award for public servants.
The JNPSNC said the measure would help cushion the effect of what it described as difficult economic conditions affecting workers, their families and vulnerable Nigerians.
The council further argued that addressing the welfare concerns of public servants would support their productivity and commitment to the public service.
Another major demand is the immediate establishment of a tripartite committee to begin negotiations for a new national minimum wage expected to become due in 2027.
The JNPSNC said early commencement of the process would help prevent administrative or procedural delays that could affect the implementation of a new wage arrangement after negotiations are completed and any necessary legislation is passed.
The demand for the committee forms part of the issues contained in the council’s September 21 letter to President Tinubu.
The JNPSNC expressed disappointment that President Tinubu’s Independence Day address did not specifically address its demands on petrol prices and wage support.
A union leader quoted by Vanguard said the council expected concrete measures to alleviate the economic pressure being experienced by workers and other Nigerians.
The union therefore maintained that the warning strike would proceed.
The position reflects the council’s own assessment of the President’s address and should be distinguished from the Federal Government’s broader economic policy position.
The JNPSNC directive covers public servants in federal, state and local government services.
The unions affiliated with the council 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 affiliated unions include 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.
Employees of government ministries, departments and agencies are also covered by the directive.
Separately, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, has raised concerns over the implementation of its 2026 agreement with the Federal Government.
The union warned against delays, selective implementation or what it described as marginalisation in the implementation of the agreement.
SSANU National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, said implementation had commenced in some universities but remained incomplete in others because of funding and administrative challenges.
He called on branches and zones to monitor implementation, maintain accurate membership records and document cases of non-compliance or victimisation.
Ibrahim also said the union remained committed to dialogue but would take lawful and constitutional steps if implementation of the agreement was deliberately frustrated.
According to the SSANU leadership, the 2026 agreement took effect from January 1, 2026, although it was formally signed on June 29.
The union said financial obligations arising from the effective date remained outstanding and should be fully addressed.
The SSANU position adds another layer to the broader debate over workers’ welfare and the implementation of agreements between public sector unions and government.
The JNPSNC’s circular places the warning strike from midnight on Friday, October 2, through Sunday, October 4, 2026.
The action follows weeks of demands by public sector unions for measures they say are necessary to cushion the impact of rising living costs.
The unions’ immediate demands include a N500 petrol price, a wage award and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027.
The extent of the disruption to government services will depend on the level of compliance across federal, state and local government institutions during the three-day action.
