Public servants under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) have threatened to embark on a three-day warning strike from Friday if the Federal Government fails to reduce the pump price of petrol to N500 per litre and approve a new wage award for workers.
The council issued the fresh warning after giving the Federal Government until September 30 to address the rising cost of petrol and begin negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
In a statement issued by Gbenga Olowoyo, national secretary of the JNPSNC and general secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, the council said its September 30 deadline remains unchanged.
The workers said they had mobilised for industrial action if President Bola Tinubu fails to announce measures addressing their demands in his Independence Day address.
The council said: “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 (PMS) to N500 per litre,”
It also demanded a wage award to cushion the impact of rising living costs on workers and vulnerable Nigerians.
“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.
“It is imperative to state clearly that the Independence Day address of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should adequately address these critical issues.
“Consequently, the council states that failure by the Federal Government to take the necessary steps to address these issues on or before 30th September 2026 will leave Nigerian workers with no option but to commence a three-day warning strike, with effect from Friday, 2nd October 2026, to press home their demands.”
According to Olowoyo, the council had written to President Tinubu on September 21, outlining its demands, including the commencement of negotiations for a new minimum wage of at least N500,000 from 2027.
The union said it was disappointed that no visible action had been taken on its demands more than a week after the letter was submitted.
Workers Demand Action On Petrol Landing Costs
Olowoyo said reducing the price of petrol could be achieved through an intervention fund to address the landing costs of the commodity and provide support for oil and gas operators.
He also called on the Federal Government to ensure crude oil is sold to the Dangote Refinery and modular refinery operators at appropriate terms to encourage increased domestic refining and help lower the cost of petroleum products.
“It is equally important for the Federal Government to ensure the sale of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery and operators of modular refineries at appropriate terms to facilitate increased domestic refining and help bring down the price of petroleum products,” Olowoyo said.
The labour leader described the current petrol price, which ranges between N1,450 and N2,000 per litre and can reach N2,500 in some areas outside major cities and communities, as unacceptable to Nigerian workers.
According to him, “the council maintains that 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, making it increasingly difficult for Nigerians to live normal and dignified lives”.
The council further said urgent action on its demands would help public servants sustain their loyalty, commitment and productivity.
It is also calling for the immediate constitution of a tripartite committee to commence negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
“The Nigerian workers’ demand for the immediate constitution of the committee is informed by the need to avoid any administrative or procedural delay that could affect the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage once it is eventually negotiated and passed into law by the National Assembly,” he added.
The JNPSNC comprises eight public sector unions, including the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Medical and Health Workers Union, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria and National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives.
Other members 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.
