Public servants under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) have commenced a three-day warning strike over the Federal Government’s failure to address their demands on fuel prices, wages and worsening economic hardship.
The industrial action is scheduled to run from midnight on Friday, October 2, to Sunday, October 4, 2026.
The directive was contained in a circular issued on Thursday by Gbenga Olowoyo, National Secretary of the JNPSNC and General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), to national presidents and general secretaries, as well as state chairmen and secretaries of affiliate unions.
In the circular titled “Declaration of Three Day Warning Strike; Action with Immediate Effect,” the council directed its affiliates to ensure full compliance with the industrial action.
The development followed an ultimatum issued by the union to the Federal Government over the rising cost of petrol and the need to commence negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
The council had on September 21 written to President Bola Tinubu outlining three demands, including the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage of not less than N500,000 from 2027 and a reduction of the petrol price to N500 per litre.
Olowoyo had subsequently warned that workers would commence the strike if the government failed to address the demands, including announcing measures to reduce the cost of petrol and begin negotiations on a new minimum wage.
In Thursday’s circular, he said the failure of the President to address the demands had left the council with no option but to proceed with the planned warning strike.
“Please, recall the position of the National leadership of JNPSNC that if Mr President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Tinubu refuses to address our requests as contained in the letter to his exalted office (dated September 21, 2026), the three day warning strike earlier scheduled shall commence immediately,” the circular reads.
“Consequent upon the above, the strike shall start with effect from midnight of Friday, October 2, 2026, to Sunday, October 4, 2026.”
The council also called on public servants across the federal, state and local government levels to participate in the action, citing the economic difficulties confronting workers and other Nigerians.
“In the same vein, all public servants in the services of federal, state and local governments are to join the warning strike because an injury to one is an injury to all, most especially all workers, their dependants, vulnerable and hapless Nigerians are groaning terribly under the present economic hardship.”
Olowoyo said the economic difficulties had become increasingly difficult for workers and their families to bear, urging union members to mobilise for the three-day action.
“The economic and mental hardships are becoming unbearable and frustrating. The time to act and mobilise workers for the three days warning strike is now. Please, disseminate the information. Surely, there is victory for us.”
