Public servants across the federal, state and local governments have begun a three-day warning strike over worsening economic hardship and the Federal Government’s failure to address their demands, including a reduction in petrol prices to N500 per litre.
The industrial action, directed by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), commenced at midnight on Friday, October 2, and is scheduled to end on Sunday, October 4, 2026.
The council directed its officials and affiliate unions across the three tiers of government, including workers in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), to ensure compliance with the strike.
The JNPSNC said the action followed the Federal Government’s failure to address demands contained in its September 21, 2026 letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The workers are demanding a reduction of the petrol pump price to N500 per litre, an immediate wage award and the commencement of negotiations for a new National Minimum Wage of at least N500,000 from 2027.
The council had given the Federal Government until September 30 to address the demands, warning that failure to do so would trigger the three-day warning strike.
The JNPSNC also expressed disappointment that President Tinubu’s Independence Day address did not respond to its demands or announce immediate measures to ease the economic hardship confronting workers and other Nigerians.
Workers Begin Nationwide Strike
The directive to proceed with the industrial action was contained in a circular issued by JNPSNC National Secretary, Trade Union side, Olowoyo Gbenga, to national presidents and general secretaries as well as state chairmen and secretaries of the council’s affiliate unions.
The circular, titled “Declaration of Three Day Warning Strike; Action with Immediate Effect,” directed public servants in the federal, state and local government services to join the warning strike.
The council said the economic and mental hardships affecting workers, their dependants and vulnerable Nigerians had become increasingly difficult to bear.
It said the industrial action was necessary to press home the workers’ demands after the expiration of the September 30 deadline.
What Workers Want
The JNPSNC identified three major areas requiring urgent government intervention.
First, it demanded a reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, to N500 per litre.
The council said the Federal Government should take steps to reduce the cost of petrol, including measures to address landing costs and support oil and gas operators.
It also called for the sale of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery and operators of modular refineries at appropriate terms to support increased domestic refining and help bring down petroleum product prices.
Second, the council demanded an immediate wage award for Nigerian workers to cushion the effects of the prevailing economic hardship.
Third, it called for the urgent establishment of a Tripartite Committee to commence negotiations for a new National Minimum Wage expected to become due in 2027.
The council said early constitution of the committee would help prevent administrative or procedural delays that could affect the implementation of a new minimum wage once negotiated and passed into law.
SSANU Warns Over 2026 Agreement
Meanwhile, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has warned against delays, selective implementation and marginalisation in the implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU Agreement.
Speaking during the State of the Union Address at SSANU’s 56th National Executive Council meeting at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, National President Mohammed Ibrahim said implementation had commenced in some universities but remained incomplete in others because of funding and administrative challenges.
Ibrahim said the 2026 agreement and resolutions reached by the NEC must translate into tangible outcomes and measurable benefits for members.
He directed branches and zones to monitor implementation, maintain accurate and verifiable membership records, document cases of non-compliance or victimisation and submit timely reports to the National Secretariat.
While reaffirming SSANU’s commitment to dialogue and constructive engagement, Ibrahim said the union would take lawful and constitutional steps to defend the interests of its members where implementation was deliberately frustrated or NEC decisions ignored.
On workers’ welfare, he said the 2026 agreement took effect from January 1, 2026, although it was formally signed on June 29, 2026, adding that financial obligations arising from the effective date remained outstanding.
The JNPSNC warning strike is scheduled to run until Sunday, October 4, as public servants press the Federal Government over petrol prices, wage support and preparations for negotiations on a new National Minimum Wage.