Public servants under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) will commence a three-day warning strike from midnight on Friday, October 2, 2026, following the Federal Government’s failure to address their demands over rising living costs.
The industrial action will run until Sunday, October 4, with the council directing workers across the federal, state and local government services to participate.
JNPSNC’s position was contained in a circular dated October 1, 2026, signed by its National Secretary, Olowoyo Gbenga, and addressed to the council’s national and state leadership.
According to the circular, the decision followed the Federal Government’s failure to respond to requests submitted to President Bola Tinubu in a letter dated September 21.
“Consequent upon the above, the strike shall start with effect from midnight of Friday, 2nd October, 2026, to Sunday, October 4th, 2026,” the council stated.
The development comes a day after the expiration of a September 30 deadline issued by the public sector unions over three major demands: a reduction in petrol prices, an immediate wage award and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage expected to become due in 2027.
Workers demand N500 petrol price, wage award
JNPSNC had asked the Federal Government to take urgent measures to reduce the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, to N500 per litre.
The council also demanded an immediate wage award to cushion the effect of rising living costs on workers and their dependants.
On the minimum wage, the unions called for the immediate constitution of a tripartite committee to begin negotiations for a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027.
The council had argued that early commencement of negotiations would help prevent administrative or procedural delays after a new agreement is reached and passed into law.
JNPSNC also proposed measures to help lower petrol prices, including an intervention fund to address landing costs and support oil and gas operators, as well as appropriate crude oil supply arrangements for the Dangote Refinery and modular refinery operators.
JNPSNC cites worsening economic hardship
In its latest circular, the council said workers and vulnerable Nigerians were facing increasingly difficult economic conditions.
It directed public servants in federal, state and local government services to join the action, arguing that the hardship affecting workers and their dependants required a collective response.
The council said, “The economic and mental hardships are becoming unbearable and frustrating.”
It subsequently directed its leaders to begin immediate mobilisation for the strike, urging them to ensure that the notice reached workers nationwide.
The JNPSNC comprises eight public-sector unions, including the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria and National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives. Other affiliates include AUPCTRE, NUPSRAW, NUPPPPROW and NUAEE.
Strike follows Independence Day address
The warning strike had initially been threatened if the Federal Government failed to address the unions’ concerns by September 30, including through President Tinubu’s Independence Day address.
The council had specifically urged the President to use the October 1 national broadcast to announce measures addressing petrol prices, workers’ income and the planned review of the national minimum wage.
With the deadline passing, the JNPSNC has now formally directed its members to proceed with the three-day warning strike.
As contained in the circular, public servants across the three tiers of government are expected to participate from midnight on Friday through Sunday, October 4.
