Public servants under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) have reaffirmed plans 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 support and the next national minimum wage.
The council said its September 30 deadline remains sacrosanct, warning that public servants nationwide have been mobilised for the industrial action if the government does not respond to the demands contained in its letter to President Bola Tinubu.
JNPSNC National Secretary and General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Gbenga Olowoyo, disclosed the position in a statement issued on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
The council is demanding that the Federal Government reduce the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, to N500 per litre, immediately approve a wage award for workers and commence preparations for negotiations on a new national minimum wage expected to take effect in 2027.
It also wants the government to establish a tripartite committee to begin negotiations for the new wage.
The council comprises eight public sector unions, including 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.
Workers demand N500 petrol
JNPSNC said the government should urgently intervene to bring petrol prices down to N500 per litre, arguing that the current cost of the commodity had placed an unsustainable burden on workers and households.
According to the council, petrol currently sells for between N1,450 and N2,000 per litre, while prices can rise to about N2,500 in some locations outside major communities and cities.
It proposed the establishment of an intervention fund to address landing costs and support oil and gas operators as part of measures to reduce pump prices.
The workers also urged the Federal Government to ensure crude oil is sold to the Dangote Refinery and modular refinery operators on appropriate terms to encourage increased domestic refining and ultimately reduce the cost of petroleum products.
JNPSNC said the high cost of fuel had worsened the economic difficulties confronting workers, their dependants and other Nigerians.
Wage award demanded
The council further called for an immediate wage award to cushion the impact of rising living costs.
It argued that urgent approval of the wage award would help public servants cope with prevailing economic pressures while sustaining their commitment and productivity within the public service.
The demand comes amid continued concerns over the purchasing power of Nigerian workers and the impact of high transportation and living costs.
Fresh minimum wage talks
Another major demand is the immediate constitution of a tripartite committee to commence negotiations for a new national minimum wage expected to become due in 2027.
JNPSNC said early commencement of the process was necessary to prevent administrative or procedural delays that could affect the implementation of a new wage after negotiations, legislative approval and enactment.
The council had initially conveyed the demands to President Tinubu in a September 21 letter.
It has now warned that failure to address the issues by September 30 would trigger the planned three-day warning strike beginning Friday, October 2.
The council also said it expected the President’s Independence Day address to adequately address the concerns raised by Nigerian workers.
It warned that failure to respond to the demands would attract the displeasure of workers, their dependants and other vulnerable Nigerians affected by the prevailing economic hardship.
