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| Photo credit — Fuel Pump ⛽️ |
Public servants under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) have reaffirmed their September 30, 2026, ultimatum to the Federal Government. The demands centre on the rising cost of petrol, an immediate wage award, and the start of negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
The JNPSNC, comprising eight public-sector unions, has issued a three-day warning strike notice. The action is set to begin on October 2, 2026, if the government fails to reduce the price of petrol to ₦500 per litre, announce a wage award, and introduce other measures to ease the economic hardship facing Nigerians.
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Member unions of the JNPSNC include:
• Nigerian Civil Service Union
• Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria
• Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria
• National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives
• 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
• National Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees
The council stated that it has mobilised public servants across the country for the warning strike if the Federal Government does not address the issues raised in its letter to President Bola Tinubu before the deadline.
On September 21, 2026, the JNPSNC wrote to President Tinubu demanding that the pump price of petrol be reduced to ₦500 per litre, an immediate wage award be announced, and negotiations begin for a national minimum wage of not less than ₦500,000 from 2027, among other requests.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, leaders of the JNPSNC warned that if the issues of fuel prices and the wage award are not addressed by September 30—particularly in the President’s Independence Day anniversary speech—public servants nationwide will commence a three-day warning strike from October 2, 2026.
The statement was signed by Gbenga Olowoyo, National Secretary of the JNPSNC and General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union. He emphasised that the September 30 deadline remains firm and that the concerns of Nigerian workers can no longer be ignored.
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According to the statement, the three critical issues requiring urgent attention are:
1. Reduction of fuel price to ₦500 per litre
The Federal Government should take urgent steps to bring the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) down to ₦500 per litre. This can be achieved through an intervention fund to address landing costs and support oil and gas operators. The government should also ensure the sale of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery and operators of modular refineries on appropriate terms to increase domestic refining and lower petroleum product prices.
The current PMS price, ranging from ₦1,450 to ₦2,000 (and as high as ₦2,500 in some locations outside major cities), is unacceptable to Nigerian workers. The high cost of fuel is placing severe pressure on the survival of workers, their dependants, and the general population.
2. Immediate wage award
The Federal Government should urgently approve a wage award for Nigerian workers to cushion the effects of the harsh economic conditions. The council believes this will help sustain the loyalty, commitment, and productivity of public servants.
3. New national minimum wage negotiations
The Federal Government should urgently establish a tripartite committee to begin negotiations for the new national minimum wage due in 2027. Prompt constitution of the committee is necessary to avoid administrative or procedural delays that could affect implementation once the new wage is negotiated and passed into law by the National Assembly.
Warning strike notice
The council stated that failure by the Federal Government 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 effective Friday, October 2, 2026.
It stressed that the President’s Independence Day address should adequately address these critical concerns. Failure to do so will attract the displeasure of Nigerian workers, their dependants, and other vulnerable citizens who continue to bear the brunt of the prevailing economic hardship.
Samuel O. Sulaimon is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Naijapiz. He covers News, Sports, Finance, Faiths, Education, Technology.
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