Public servants across the federal, state and local government services in Nigeria are set to embark on a three-day nationwide warning strike beginning from midnight on Friday, October 2, 2026.
The industrial action was declared by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) following the Federal Government’s failure to address key demands raised by public sector workers.
In a circular dated October 1, 2026, the council directed public servants across ministries, departments and agencies at the federal, state and local government levels to participate in the warning strike.
The action is scheduled to commence at 12:00 a.m. on Friday, October 2, and run until Sunday, October 4, 2026.
Among the major demands of the workers is a reduction in the pump price of petrol to ₦500 per litre, which the council said would help ease the impact of rising transportation and living costs.
The JNPSNC is also demanding an immediate wage award for workers to cushion the effects of prevailing economic hardship.
Another key demand is the immediate constitution of a Tripartite Committee to commence negotiations for a new National Minimum Wage ahead of 2027, when a new wage arrangement is expected to become due.
The council had earlier issued an ultimatum to the Federal Government, asking that the demands be addressed by September 30, 2026, and had indicated that failure to receive a response would trigger the warning strike.
The development followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 66th Independence Day address on Thursday, October 1, in which the President outlined his administration’s economic reform programme and plans to move from economic stabilisation towards shared prosperity.
The workers, however, proceeded with the planned industrial action, saying their demands had not been adequately addressed.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has also expressed support for the position of the public sector unions, citing concerns over rising fuel prices, erosion of workers’ purchasing power and the need for negotiations toward a new minimum wage.
The strike is expected to affect government offices and public services operated by federal, state and local governments during the period of the industrial action.
By Enitan Mudashiru | MUK TV News
