‎The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) has directed public servants to commence a three-day warning strike from Friday, October 2, to Sunday, October 4, 2026, following the expiration of its September 30 deadline to the Federal Government.

‎DECENCY GLOBAL NEWS reports that the Council is demanding urgent measures to address the rising cost of living, including a reduction in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to ₦500 per litre, the approval of an immediate wage award for workers, and the commencement of negotiations for a new National Minimum Wage ahead of 2027.

‎Why the workers are striking

‎The JNPSNC had written to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on September 21, asking the Federal Government to intervene in what it described as worsening economic hardship affecting workers, their dependants and vulnerable Nigerians.

‎The council subsequently set September 30, 2026, as its deadline for government action. It warned that failure to address the demands would trigger a three-day warning strike beginning October 2. Reports published after the deadline indicate that the council has maintained its position and public servants have been mobilised for the industrial action.

‎Workers demand petrol at ₦500 per litre

‎A major demand is for the Federal Government to take steps to bring the price of petrol down to ₦500 per litre.

‎The council said petrol prices in different parts of the country had risen substantially, placing additional pressure on transportation costs and household expenses. It proposed measures including an intervention fund to address landing costs and appropriate crude-supply arrangements for the Dangote Refinery and modular refineries, with the aim of supporting increased domestic refining.

‎Demand for ₦500,000 minimum wage

‎The JNPSNC is also calling for the immediate constitution of a tripartite committee to begin negotiations for a new National Minimum Wage expected to become due in 2027.

‎In its earlier communication to the President, the council proposed that the minimum salary payable to a worker on Grade Level 01, Step 1, under a 2027 salary structure should be ₦500,000 per month. Thus, the ₦500,000 figure is being presented as the council’s proposed benchmark for the new wage structure, rather than an already approved current minimum wage.

‎Nigeria’s current statutory minimum wage is ₦70,000, according to reporting on the JNPSNC’s demands. The council wants negotiations for a successor wage structure to begin early enough to avoid delays in implementation from January 2027.

‎Wage award also demanded

‎Apart from the proposed new minimum wage, the workers are asking the Federal Government to approve an immediate wage award as an interim measure to cushion the impact of prevailing economic pressures.

‎The council argues that rising fuel, food, transportation, housing, healthcare and other living costs have eroded the purchasing power of workers’ salaries.

‎Eight unions under JNPSNC

‎The JNPSNC comprises eight public-sector unions:

‎*MEMBERS OF NIGERIA CIVIL SERVICE UNION (NCSU)

‎✅ MEMBERS OF NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA NURSES AND MIDWIFERY IN CORE CIVIL SERVICE CLINICS(NANNM)

‎✅ MEMBERS OF ASSOCIATION OF SENIOR CIVIL SERVANTS OF NIGERIA (ASCSN)

‎✅ MEMBERS OF MHWUN IN FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT CIVIL SERVICE OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH WORKERS UNION OF NIGERIA (MHWUN)

‎✅ MEMBERS OF Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE).

‎✅ MEMBERS OF NUPPPROW — National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers.

‎✅ MEMBERS OF NUAAE — Nigeria Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees. The union was formed following the merger of the former agricultural workers’ unions.

‎✅ MEMBERS OF NUPSRAW — Nigeria Union of Public Service Reportorial, Secretarial, Data Processors and Allied Workers.

‎The warning strike, if implemented as announced, is scheduled to run for three days from Friday, October 2, through Sunday, October 4, 2026, as the council presses the Federal Government to respond to its demands.

‎The development comes amid continuing debate between organised labour and the Federal Government over petrol prices, workers’ purchasing power and preparations for negotiations on a new national minimum wage.

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