Public servants under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council have commenced a three-day warning strike over the Federal Government’s failure to address their demands, including a reduction in petrol price to N500 per litre.
The industrial action began at midnight on Friday, October 2, and is scheduled to end on Sunday, October 4, 2026.
The strike was announced in a circular issued on Thursday by Gbenga Olowoyo, National Secretary of the JNPSNC and General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union.
The circular, titled “Declaration of Three Day Warning Strike; Action with Immediate Effect,” directed affiliate unions to ensure full compliance with the industrial action.
The council had on Tuesday threatened to commence the strike if the Federal Government failed to reduce the price of petrol to N500 per litre and approve a new wage award for workers.
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Olowoyo said the September 30 ultimatum issued to the government over the rising cost of petrol and negotiations for a new national minimum wage remained in force.
He said the council had mobilised workers for the strike after President Bola Tinubu failed to announce a significant reduction in petrol prices and a new national minimum wage in his Independence Day address.
According to Olowoyo, the council had written to Tinubu on September 21, outlining three demands, including negotiations for a minimum wage of at least N500,000 from 2027 and a reduction in petrol prices to N500 per litre.
Strike Begins October 2
In the Thursday circular, Olowoyo said the government’s failure to address the demands left the unions with no option but to proceed with the warning strike.
“Please, recall the position of the National leadership of JNPSNC that if Mr President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Tinubu refuses to address our requests as contained in the letter to his exalted office (dated September 21, 2026), the three day warning strike earlier scheduled shall commence immediately,” the circular reads.
“Consequent upon the above, the strike shall start with effect from midnight of Friday, October 2, 2026, to Sunday, October 4, 2026.
“In the same vein, all public servants in the services of federal, state and local governments are to join the warning strike because an injury to one is an injury to all, most especially all workers, their dependants, vulnerable and hapless Nigerians are groaning terribly under the present economic hardship.”
Olowoyo said the economic and mental hardship facing workers had become unbearable, urging public servants to mobilise and participate in the three-day warning strike.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.