Public servants across Nigeria have threatened to embark on a three-day warning strike from Friday, October 2, if the Federal Government fails to address their concerns over rising petrol prices, workers’ welfare and the next minimum wage negotiations.
The threat was issued by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), which represents eight public-sector unions. The council said its September 30 deadline remains in force.
Workers demand cheaper petrol
The unions are asking the Federal Government to take steps to reduce the price of petrol to ₦500 per litre.
They argue that high fuel prices are increasing the cost of transportation and putting additional pressure on food, household expenses and other basic needs.
The council said petrol prices currently range between about ₦1,450 and ₦2,000 per litre, with higher prices reported in some locations. These figures are claims made by the workers’ council and may vary by location and date.
Wage award also demanded
The workers are also demanding an immediate wage award to help cushion the impact of the current cost-of-living pressures.
They have further called for the Federal Government to establish a tripartite committee to begin negotiations for a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027. The unions have previously called for a minimum wage of at least ₦500,000 from 2027.
October 2 strike deadline
The JNPSNC said that if the government does not address the issues by September 30, public servants will commence the three-day warning strike on October 2.
The council also expects President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day address to respond to the concerns raised by workers.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has also expressed support for the position of the public-sector unions, according to reports.
Monafrika Update: As of September 30, the strike remains a threat/notice of industrial action, rather than a strike that has already started. The key development to watch is the Federal Government’s response before October 2.
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