Public sector workers across the federal, state and local governments have commenced a three-day warning strike over the government’s failure to address their demands on economic hardship.
The industrial action, directed by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), began at midnight on Friday, October 2, and is scheduled to end on Sunday, October 4.
The council directed its officials across the three tiers of government, including workers in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), to ensure full compliance with the strike.
The unions said the action was prompted by what they described as worsening economic and mental hardship affecting workers, their dependants and other vulnerable Nigerians.
The development followed the Federal Government’s failure to address demands contained in a September 21, 2026 letter sent to President Bola Tinubu by the JNPSNC.
The council had demanded a reduction in the petrol pump price to N500 per litre, an immediate wage award for workers and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage of at least N500,000 from 2027.
The JNPSNC had earlier given the Federal Government until September 30 to address the demands, warning that failure to do so would trigger the three-day warning strike.
The unions expressed disappointment that Tinubu’s Independence Day address did not address their demands for a reduction in petrol prices or announce immediate measures to ease the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians.
Directive to proceed on strike
The directive for workers to begin the industrial action was contained in a circular issued by JNPSNC National Secretary (Trade Union side), Olowoyo Gbenga, to national presidents and general secretaries as well as state chairmen and secretaries of the council’s affiliate unions.
The circular was titled “Declaration of three day Warning Strike; action with immediate effect.”
It reads: “Please, recall the position of the National leadership of JNPSNC that if Mr President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Tinubu refuses to address our requests as contained in the letter to his exalted office (dated September 21, 2026), the three day warning strike earlier scheduled shall commence immediately.
“Consequent upon the above, the strike shall start with effect from midnight of Friday, October 2, 2026, to Sunday, October 4, 2026.
“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.
“The economic and mental hardships are becoming unbearable and frustrating. The time to act and mobilise workers for the three days warning strike is now. Please, disseminate the information. Surely, there is victory for us.”
Workers express disappointment
A JNPSNC leader told Vanguard that the council was dissatisfied with the president’s Independence Day address because it did not respond to the workers’ demands.
“We are deeply disappointed that the President’s Independence Anniversary address failed to address our legitimate demands for a reduction in the pump price of petrol and the introduction of concrete measures to alleviate the excruciating hardship confronting workers and other Nigerians.
“While the President acknowledged the severe suffering inflicted on citizens by government policies, it is deeply concerning that the speech offered no concrete relief or meaningful response to the urgent demands of Nigerian workers.
“In view of this failure to address these pressing concerns, our three-day warning strike will proceed as planned.”
Workers’ demands
The JNPSNC had written to Tinubu on September 21, asking the Federal Government to reduce petrol prices to N500 per litre, approve an immediate wage award and begin negotiations for a new national minimum wage of not less than N500,000 from 2027.
In a statement issued before the strike, the council outlined three major areas requiring government action.
According to Olowoyo: “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.
“This can be achieved through the provision of an intervention fund to address landing costs and support oil and gas operators.
“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, in order to facilitate increased domestic refining and help bring down the price of petroleum products.
“The current price of PMS, ranging from N1,450 to N2,000 and, in some locations outside major communities and cities, as high as N2,500 per litre, is unacceptable to Nigerian workers.
“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.
Wage award
“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.
“The Council believes that urgent action on this demand will further enable public servants to consolidate their loyalty, commitment and productivity within the public service ecosystem.
Minimum wage committee
“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 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.
Warning strike
“Consequently, the Council states that 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, to press home their demands.
“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.
“Failure to address the concerns raised, according to the Council, will attract the displeasure of Nigerian workers and their dependants, as well as other vulnerable Nigerians who continue to bear the brunt of the prevailing economic hardship.”
SSANU warns over implementation of 2026 agreement
Meanwhile, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has warned against delays, selective implementation and marginalisation in the implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU Agreement.
The union said it “will not accept unnecessary delays, selective implementation, marginalisation or any attempt to diminish the financial and non-financial provisions of the Agreement.”
Speaking during the State of the Union Address at SSANU’s 56th National Executive Council meeting at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, National President Mohammed Ibrahim said implementation had “commenced in some universities” but remained incomplete in others because of “funding and administrative challenges.”
Ibrahim said the 2026 agreement and resolutions reached by the NEC must produce tangible outcomes for members.
“Agreements and NEC resolutions must translate into concrete action and measurable benefits for our members.”
He directed branches and zones to “continue to monitor implementation, maintain accurate and verifiable membership records, document cases of non-compliance or victimisation, and provide timely reports to the National Secretariat.”
While reaffirming SSANU’s commitment to dialogue, Ibrahim cautioned: “Our commitment to dialogue and constructive engagement should not be mistaken for weakness.
“Where implementation is deliberately frustrated or the decisions of NEC are ignored, the Union reserves the right to take all lawful and constitutional steps necessary to defend the interests of its members.”
On workers’ welfare, Ibrahim said the 2026 Agreement “took effect from January 1, 2026, although it was formally signed on June 29, 2026,” adding that “financial obligations arising from the effective date remain outstanding and must be fully addressed.”