Nigerian public servants under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council 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 the soaring price of petrol, wage award and negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
The council, which comprises eight public-sector unions, said its September 30 deadline to the Federal Government remains sacrosanct.
The workers are demanding that the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, be reduced to N500 per litre, while also calling for an immediate wage award to cushion the impact of the rising cost of living.
They further want the Federal Government to urgently constitute a tripartite committee to begin negotiations for a new national minimum wage expected to take effect in 2027.
The council issued the fresh warning in a statement on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, signed by its National Secretary and General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Gbenga Olowoyo.
According to the unions, failure by the government to address their demands by September 30 would trigger the three-day warning strike beginning Friday, October 2.
The JNPSNC comprises the Nigerian Civil Service Union; Medical and Health Workers Union; Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria; National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives; 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.
The council said the current petrol price, reportedly ranging between N1,450 and N2,000 per litre, and reaching as high as N2,500 in some locations, had become unbearable for workers and their dependants.
It urged the Federal Government to establish an intervention fund to address landing costs and support oil and gas operators as part of measures to bring down the price.
The unions also called on the government to ensure that crude oil is sold to the Dangote Refinery and modular refinery operators on appropriate terms, arguing that increased domestic refining would help reduce the price of petroleum products.
The council said the cost of fuel was placing severe pressure on the survival of workers, their families and other Nigerians.
The public servants also demanded an immediate wage award to cushion the effects of the prevailing economic hardship.
The council said the measure would help workers cope with rising living costs while improving their commitment and productivity within the public service.
The workers also want the Federal Government to immediately establish a tripartite committee to commence negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
The council said early constitution of the committee was necessary to prevent administrative or procedural delays that could affect the implementation of a new minimum wage once negotiated and passed into law.
The unions had earlier written to President Bola Tinubu on September 21, demanding, among other measures, a reduction of petrol to N500 per litre, a wage award and the commencement of negotiations for a minimum wage of not less than N500,000 from 2027.
The council warned that unless the Federal Government takes concrete steps on the issues by September 30, public servants nationwide would proceed with the three-day warning strike.
It also said President Tinubu’s Independence Day address would be closely watched for concrete measures addressing the concerns of Nigerian workers.
The planned action could affect public services nationwide if the unions proceed with the warning strike from October 2.