JNPSNC directs federal, state and local government workers nationwide to withdraw services from October 2 to 4
LAGOS — Public sector workers across Nigeria are set to embark on a three-day warning strike beginning Friday, October 2, following the failure of the Federal Government to address demands by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) on fuel prices, wage support and the proposed 2027 minimum wage.
The JNPSNC directed workers across the federal, state and local government services, including employees of ministries, departments and agencies, to participate in the industrial action.
According to the council, the warning strike is aimed at drawing urgent attention to what it described as worsening economic and mental hardship affecting workers, their dependants and other vulnerable Nigerians.
The industrial action is scheduled to commence at midnight on Friday, October 2, and end on Sunday, October 4, 2026.
The council’s directive followed the failure of the Federal Government to respond to demands contained in a September 21, 2026 letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu.
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Fuel price reduction tops workers’ demands
One of the central demands of the workers is an immediate reduction in the pump price of petrol to N500 per litre.
The unions said the current price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which they put at between N1,450 and N2,000 per litre, and as high as N2,500 in some locations, has placed severe pressure on workers and households.
The JNPSNC also called for government intervention to reduce landing costs and support oil and gas operators, as well as measures to facilitate the sale of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery and modular refineries on appropriate terms.
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According to the council, increased domestic refining would help reduce the cost of petroleum products and ease the pressure on consumers.
Workers demand immediate wage award
The unions are also demanding an immediate wage award for Nigerian workers as a temporary measure to cushion the effects of the current economic conditions.
The council said the wage award would provide relief to workers, their dependants and vulnerable Nigerians while helping public servants maintain their commitment and productivity within the public service.
Unions want new minimum wage negotiations to begin
Another major demand is the immediate constitution of a tripartite committee to begin negotiations for a new National Minimum Wage expected to become due in 2027.
The JNPSNC said establishing the committee early would prevent administrative or procedural delays and ensure that a new minimum wage can be negotiated, passed into law and implemented without unnecessary setbacks.
The council had warned that failure by government to address its demands by September 30 would trigger the three-day warning strike.
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Tinubu’s Independence Day address fails to meet expectations
The decision to proceed with the strike came after President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Anniversary address, which the JNPSNC said failed to address its major demands.
The council expressed disappointment that the President did not announce a reduction in petrol prices to N500 per litre or immediate measures specifically aimed at alleviating the economic hardship confronting workers.
A JNPSNC leader told Vanguard that the union was disappointed that the President’s address did not provide concrete relief or a meaningful response to the workers’ demands.
The leader said the failure meant the planned three-day warning strike would proceed as scheduled.
JNPSNC orders nationwide compliance
In a circular signed by JNPSNC National Secretary (Trade Union side), Olowoyo Gbenga, the council instructed national presidents, general secretaries, state chairmen and secretaries of its affiliate unions to mobilize their members for the action.
The circular stated that the strike would begin at midnight on Friday, October 2, and continue until Sunday, October 4.
It further directed public servants at the federal, state and local government levels to participate in the warning strike, citing the economic difficulties facing workers and vulnerable Nigerians.
Unions behind the action
The JNPSNC comprises several public-sector unions, including the Nigerian Civil Service Union (NCSU), Medical and Health Workers Union (M&HWU), Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) and National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).
Other affiliates include the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Employees (AUPCTRE), Nigeria Union of Public Service, Reportorial, Secretarial, Data Processors and Allied Workers (NUPSRAW), National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers (NUPPPPROW), and National Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees (NUAEE).
Employees of federal and state government ministries, departments and agencies are also affected by the directive.
SSANU raises fresh concerns over 2026 agreement
Meanwhile, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has raised concerns over the implementation of the 2026 Federal Government of Nigeria/SSANU Agreement.
The union warned against what it described as unnecessary delays, selective implementation and marginalization in the implementation of the agreement.
Speaking at SSANU’s 56th National Executive Council meeting at the University of Uyo in 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 directed SSANU branches and zones to monitor implementation, maintain accurate membership records and document cases of non-compliance or victimization.
He said the union remained committed to dialogue but warned that this should not be interpreted as weakness.
According to him, where implementation is deliberately frustrated or decisions of the National Executive Council are ignored, the union reserves the right to take lawful and constitutional measures to protect the interests of its members.
The SSANU president also said the 2026 agreement took effect from January 1, 2026, although it was formally signed on June 29, 2026, with financial obligations arising from the effective date still outstanding.
What the strike could mean
With the JNPSNC directing workers across the three tiers of government to participate, government offices and public services may experience disruptions during the three-day action.
The warning strike is expected to serve as a pressure point for further engagement between the unions and the Federal Government over petrol prices, workers’ welfare and preparations for negotiations on a new national minimum wage.
For now, the JNPSNC has maintained that the industrial action will proceed as scheduled, with public servants expected to stay away from work from October 2 through October 4.
