Public servants under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council have declared a three-day warning strike over worsening economic hardship, declining purchasing power and the Federal Government’s alleged failure to respond to their demands.
The strike is scheduled to begin at midnight on Friday, October 2, and end on Sunday, October 4, 2026.
The council conveyed the decision in a circular dated October 1 and signed by its National Secretary, Olowoyo Gbenga, directing its national and state leadership to commence immediate mobilisation of workers.
The council said the decision followed the Federal Government’s alleged failure to respond to demands contained in a letter it sent to President Bola Tinubu on September 21.
“Consequent upon the above, the strike shall start with effect from midnight of Friday, 2nd October, 2026, to Sunday, October 4th, 2026,” the circular stated.
The council directed workers in the federal, state and local government services to join the industrial action, saying the current economic situation had placed an unbearable burden on workers, their dependants and vulnerable Nigerians.
“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,” it said.
The workers’ body said the difficulties confronting employees had become both economic and psychological.
“The economic and mental hardships are becoming unbearable and frustrating,” the council said.
It urged its officials across the country to step up mobilisation ahead of the action.
“The time to act and mobilise workers for the three-day warning strike is now!!!” it declared.
Labour demands N500 petrol price
The warning strike is coming after the council submitted several demands to the Federal Government aimed at cushioning the impact of the rising cost of living.
The workers had demanded a reduction of the pump price of petrol to N500 per litre, arguing that lower fuel prices would help reduce transportation and other costs affecting households.
They also called for an immediate wage award for workers and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027.
The council further demanded the establishment of a tripartite committee to negotiate the proposed new wage arrangement.
The demands reflect growing concerns among public servants over the erosion of their earnings amid increases in the cost of food, transportation and other basic necessities.
The JNPSNC said the warning strike was aimed at drawing the government’s attention to the difficulties confronting workers and compelling action on its demands.
It directed its national and state leadership to ensure that the notice reached workers in all parts of the country.
The circular ended with a call for unity among the workers and confidence in the planned action.
“Please, disseminate the information!!! Surely, there is victory for us!!!” it stated.
The three-day warning strike, as announced by the council, will run from October 2 to October 4, unless the workers’ body subsequently suspends or alters the action.
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