Updated: Workers begin three-day warning strike nationwide
Public service workers under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council have commenced a three-day warning strike over economic hardship and demands for measures to improve workers’ welfare.
The industrial action began at midnight on Friday, October 2, 2026, and is scheduled to end on Sunday, October 4.
The council directed public servants across the federal, state and local government services to participate in the warning strike.
The directive was contained in a circular dated October 1 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 earlier submitted to President Bola Tinubu in a letter dated September 21.
According to the council, workers and their dependants are facing worsening economic and mental hardship, which it said had made the situation increasingly difficult.
The JNPSNC had earlier issued an ultimatum to the Federal Government over the rising cost of living and the impact of petrol prices on workers.
Among its major demands is a reduction in the pump price of petrol to N500 per litre.
The council also wants the Federal Government to approve a wage award for workers to cushion the effects of rising living costs.
Another major demand is the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027, when the current minimum wage arrangement is expected to become due for review.
The workers had asked the Federal Government to establish a tripartite committee to begin the process of negotiating the new wage.
The council said the early commencement of negotiations was necessary to prevent delays in the implementation of a new national minimum wage.
The JNPSNC had warned that failure by the government to address its demands by September 30 would trigger the three-day warning strike.
The warning strike was subsequently declared after the council said its concerns had not been adequately addressed.
In its latest circular, the council directed its national and state leadership to mobilise workers for the industrial action.
It also called on public servants in federal, state and local government services to participate.
The strike is expected to affect public offices and government services during the three-day period, although the extent of disruption may vary across institutions and locations.
The JNPSNC comprises several public-sector unions, including the Nigerian Civil Service Union, Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria and National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives.
Other unions in the council include the 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’s demands come amid concerns over the effect of higher fuel prices on transportation, food and other household expenses.
In its earlier statement, the council said the prevailing petrol prices were placing severe pressure on workers and their families.
The union body had also proposed measures that could help reduce the cost of petrol, including government intervention and increased domestic refining.
As the warning strike began on Friday, the council urged its members to remain committed to the industrial action and called for the dissemination of the strike directive across the public service.
The three-day action is expected to run until Sunday, October 4, after which the council may review the situation and determine its next step.
As of the latest report, the council maintained that the warning strike would proceed as scheduled, while efforts to obtain a reaction from the Ministry of Labour had not produced a response at the time of filing the report.