Public servants set for three-day warning strike over hardship, minimum wage

Public service workers under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council have announced a three-day warning strike, citing worsening economic conditions and growing hardship among workers and their dependants.

The industrial action is scheduled to begin at midnight on Friday, October 2, 2026, and run through Sunday, October 4.

The council has directed its national and state leadership to commence immediate mobilisation of workers across the country ahead of the strike.

The directive was contained in a circular dated October 1, 2026, and signed by the National Secretary of the JNPSNC, Olowoyo Gbenga.

The circular linked the planned action to what the council described as the Federal Government’s failure to respond to demands earlier presented to President Bola Tinubu in a letter dated September 21, 2026.

Confirming the commencement date, the council stated, “Consequent upon the above, the strike shall start with effect from midnight of Friday, 2nd October, 2026, to Sunday, October 4th, 2026.”

The JNPSNC called on workers across the federal, state and local government services to participate in the warning strike.

It said the action was intended to draw attention to the economic difficulties confronting workers and other vulnerable Nigerians.

The council stated, “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.”

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The labour body also expressed concern over the impact of the economic situation on workers’ wellbeing, saying, “The economic and mental hardships are becoming unbearable and frustrating.”

It consequently directed its officials and members to begin mobilisation without delay, declaring, “The time to act and mobilise workers for the three-day warning strike is now!!!”

The latest warning strike is coming against the backdrop of demands previously submitted by the council to the Federal Government over the rising cost of living and declining purchasing power of workers.

Among the demands reportedly presented by the JNPSNC are a reduction in the pump price of petrol to N500 per litre, an immediate wage award for workers and the establishment of a tripartite committee to commence discussions on a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027.

The council’s position comes amid continuing concerns over the increasing prices of essential commodities, transportation and other household expenses, which have placed additional financial pressure on workers and their families.

The union body has maintained that further action may be necessary to draw attention to the issues if its demands are not adequately addressed.

For now, the October 2–4 warning strike remains the immediate action announced by the council, with workers in the three tiers of government directed to participate.

The circular also urged union leaders and members to ensure that the information reaches workers nationwide.

Concluding the notice, the council said, “Please, disseminate the information!!! Surely, there is victory for us!!!”

The directive means that, unless there is a subsequent development altering the position, public servants covered by the council’s directive are expected to commence the three-day warning strike from midnight on October 2.

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