Public sector workers across Nigeria have commenced a three-day warning strike following the failure of the Federal Government to address key demands raised by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC).
The industrial action, which began at midnight, affects employees of the Federal, state and local governments, including workers in ministries, departments and agencies. The JNPSNC directed its affiliated unions and members nationwide to ensure full compliance with the strike.
The unions said the action was necessitated by what they described as worsening economic hardship affecting workers, their dependants and vulnerable Nigerians. Among their major demands is a reduction in the price of petrol to ₦500 per litre, the immediate approval of a wage award, and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage expected to take effect in 2027.
The JNPSNC had written to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on September 21, asking the Federal Government to take urgent steps to address the rising cost of living and the pressure on workers. The council subsequently issued a September 30 deadline, warning that failure to address the demands would trigger the three-day warning strike.
The council also called for the immediate establishment of a tripartite committee to begin negotiations for the next national minimum wage, saying early commencement would help prevent delays in the eventual implementation of a new wage agreement.
The warning strike involves several public-sector unions, including the Nigerian Civil Service Union, Medical and Health Workers Union, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, and other affiliated unions representing workers across different government institutions.
The development comes amid continuing concerns over the rising cost of fuel and other essential goods. The unions maintain that urgent government intervention is necessary to cushion the effects of the economic difficulties facing workers and other Nigerians.
The three-day action is scheduled to run from October 2 to October 4, 2026, according to the JNPSNC’s directive.
