Public servants across Nigeria have begun a three-day warning strike over economic hardship, petrol prices, wage demands and the Federal Government’s failure to address requests submitted by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council.
The industrial action, directed by the JNPSNC, commenced at midnight on Friday, October 2, 2026, and is scheduled to run until Sunday, October 4. The council directed workers in federal, state and local government services to participate in the action.
The directive was contained in a circular dated October 1, 2026, and signed by the National Secretary of the JNPSNC, Olowoyo Gbenga.
The council said the decision followed the Federal Government’s failure to address demands contained in a letter submitted to President Bola Tinubu on September 21.
According to the circular, the warning strike would commence at midnight on October 2 and end on October 4, with the council directing its national and state structures to mobilise workers for the action.
The JNPSNC also urged public servants across the three tiers of government to participate, citing what it described as worsening economic and mental hardship affecting workers, their dependants and vulnerable Nigerians.
The latest industrial action follows earlier demands by the council for measures to reduce the financial pressure on public servants.
Among the demands are a reduction of petrol prices to N500 per litre, an immediate wage award for workers and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027.
The council had earlier given the Federal Government a deadline to address the issues before proceeding with the warning strike.
The JNPSNC said the demands were aimed at cushioning the effects of rising transportation costs and increasing prices of goods and services on workers.
In the October 1 circular, the council recalled its earlier position that the warning strike would commence if the Federal Government failed to respond to its requests contained in the September 21 letter to the President.
The council subsequently directed its affiliates to ensure that the information reached workers nationwide and to mobilise for the three-day action.
The JNPSNC said the economic difficulties facing workers had become increasingly difficult, while calling on public servants to participate in the warning strike.
Reports indicate that the JNPSNC represents several public-sector unions, including the Nigerian Civil Service Union, Medical and Health Workers Union, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria and National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives.
The council has instructed its leadership structures at federal and state levels to ensure compliance with the industrial action.
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The three-day warning strike is expected to affect public services across federal, state and local government establishments during the period.
What Workers Are Demanding
The key demands raised by the JNPSNC include:
- Reduction of petrol prices to N500 per litre
- Immediate wage award for public servants
- Commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage
- Measures to cushion the impact of rising living and transportation costs
The council maintains that the demands are necessary in response to the economic pressure affecting workers and their families.
The warning strike is scheduled to end on Sunday, October 4, 2026.
