morGANABLE politics/Governance
The unions said they had already mobilised their members across the country, stressing that the looming strike was a response to worsening economic hardship triggered by soaring fuel prices and the rising cost of living.
KaNo—
Public servants under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council have fixed October 2, 2026, for the commencement of a three-day nationwide warning strike, should the Federal Government fail to meet key demands over rising fuel prices, wage support and minimum wage negotiations.
The council, which represents eight public sector unions, reaffirmed its September 30 ultimatum, insisting that the government must take urgent steps to reduce the price of Premium Motor Spirit to N500 per litre, announce a wage award for workers and immediately set up a committee to negotiate a new national minimum wage.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the National Secretary of the council and General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Gbenga Olowoyo, said the deadline remained unchanged, warning that workers would proceed with industrial action if their demands were ignored.
The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council comprises the Nigerian Civil Service Union, the Medical and Health Workers Union, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives.
Others are the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Employees, the Nigeria Union of Public Service, Reportorial, Secretarial, Data Processors and Allied Workers, the National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers, and the National Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees.
The unions said they had already mobilised their members across the country, stressing that the looming strike was a response to worsening economic hardship triggered by soaring fuel prices and the rising cost of living.
According to Olowoyo, the council had earlier written to President Bola Tinubu on September 21, outlining its demands and calling for urgent intervention to alleviate the suffering of Nigerian workers.
He noted that the current pump price of petrol, which ranges between N1,450 and N2,000 per litre in major cities and rises as high as N2,500 in some remote areas, had become unbearable for workers and their families.
“The three critical issues requiring urgent attention are as follows: reduction of fuel price to N500 per litre. The Federal Government should take urgent steps to bring down the price of Premium Motor Spirit to N500 per litre,” he said.
Olowoyo explained that the council believed the price reduction could be achieved through targeted government intervention, including financial support to address landing costs and strategic policies to boost domestic refining capacity.
He called on the government to ensure the supply of crude oil to local refineries, including the Dangote Refinery and modular refineries, under favourable terms that would encourage increased production and help stabilise fuel prices.
“The current price of PMS is unacceptable to Nigerian workers. The economic hardship occasioned by the high cost of fuel is placing the survival of Nigerian workers, their dependants and the general populace under severe pressure,” he added.
Beyond fuel pricing, the council also demanded the immediate approval of a wage award to cushion the impact of inflation and economic challenges on public servants.
The unions argued that such an intervention would not only provide temporary relief but also boost morale, productivity and commitment within the public service.
“The Federal Government should urgently approve a wage award for Nigerian workers to cushion the effects of the prevailing harsh economic conditions being experienced by workers, their dependants and vulnerable Nigerians,” Olowoyo said.
In addition, the council called for the urgent constitution of a tripartite committee comprising representatives of government, labour and the private sector to commence negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
It noted that the current minimum wage framework would soon expire and warned against delays that could disrupt timely implementation of a new wage structure.
“The Federal Government should urgently establish a tripartite committee to commence and facilitate negotiations for the new national minimum wage expected to become due in 2027,” the statement read.
According to the council, early commencement of negotiations would help avoid administrative bottlenecks and ensure a smooth transition once a new minimum wage is agreed upon and approved by the National Assembly.
The unions also linked their demands to broader concerns about economic stability, arguing that the rising cost of fuel had triggered a ripple effect across all sectors, including transportation, food prices and healthcare.
They warned that continued inaction could deepen poverty levels and further erode the purchasing power of workers already grappling with inflation.
“Failure by the Federal Government to take the necessary steps to address these issues on or before September 30, 2026, will leave Nigerian workers with no option but to commence a three-day warning strike with effect from Friday, October 2, 2026,” Olowoyo stated.
The council further stressed that the Independence Day address by the President would be closely watched by workers, expressing hope that the government would use the opportunity to respond to their concerns.
“It is imperative to state clearly that the Independence Day address of the President should adequately address these critical issues,” the statement added.
Labour leaders warned that failure to act could provoke widespread dissatisfaction among workers and other vulnerable groups already bearing the brunt of economic reforms.
They said the proposed warning strike was intended to draw attention to the plight of Nigerian workers and push the government towards urgent action.
As the deadline approaches, attention is now focused on the Federal Government’s response and whether it will engage labour leaders to avert the planned strike.
A prolonged industrial action by public servants could disrupt essential government services across the country, including healthcare delivery, administrative operations and other critical sectors.
With both sides yet to reach a consensus, the coming days are expected to be crucial in determining whether negotiations will prevail or Nigeria will witness another round of industrial unrest.
