Public servants across the federal, state and local government levels are set to commence a three-day nationwide warning strike from Friday, October 2, 2026, following unresolved demands by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC).
The council directed public servants to withdraw their services from midnight on Friday through Sunday, October 4, 2026, according to a circular dated October 1 and signed by its National Secretary, Olowoyo Gbenga.
The planned industrial action followed what the council described as the Federal Government’s failure to satisfactorily address demands submitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a letter dated September 21.
Among the key demands is a reduction and stabilisation of the price of petrol at N500 per litre. The workers are also seeking the payment of wage awards to public servants across the three tiers of government and an upward review of salaries and allowances.
The council is further calling for the immediate establishment of a committee to commence negotiations for a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027.
The JNPSNC had earlier given the Federal Government a deadline to respond to its demands, warning that failure to address the issues would lead to the proposed warning strike. With the deadline passing without what the council considered a satisfactory response, the workers proceeded with the industrial action.
In its latest circular, the council directed public servants across federal, state and local government institutions to participate in the strike.
The council said the action was necessary because of what it described as worsening economic difficulties affecting workers, their dependants and other vulnerable Nigerians.
It stated that “all public servants in the services of Federal, State and Local Governments are to join the warning strike,” while urging its structures nationwide to mobilise workers for the action.
The council also described the situation facing workers as increasingly difficult, saying, “The economic and mental hardships are becoming unbearable and frustrating.”
The planned strike is expected to affect government offices and public services across the country during the three-day period.
The JNPSNC urged its national and state leadership to ensure that the strike directive reached public servants and called on workers to participate in the action as the council continues to press for responses to its demands on petrol prices, wage awards, salaries and negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
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