Public service workers under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council have commenced a three-day warning strike scheduled to run from October 2 to 4, 2026, over worsening economic conditions affecting workers and their dependants.
The council directed its national and state leaders to mobilise workers for the industrial action, which began at midnight on Friday and is expected to end on Sunday. The directive was contained in a circular dated October 1 and signed by the council’s National Secretary, Olowoyo Gbenga.
According to the council, the strike followed the Federal Government’s alleged failure to respond to requests submitted to President Bola Tinubu in a September 21 letter. It directed public servants across federal, state and local government services to participate in the action.
The council said workers and their dependants were facing increasing economic and mental hardship, describing the situation as difficult and frustrating. It therefore called on its leaders to immediately begin mobilisation for the warning strike.
Among its demands are a reduction in the petrol pump price to N500 per litre, an immediate wage award for workers and the establishment of a tripartite committee to negotiate a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027.
The demands come amid concerns over rising living costs and declining purchasing power as the prices of essential goods, transportation and other household expenses continue to increase.
The council maintained that the strike would proceed as scheduled and urged its members to circulate the notice among workers nationwide. Efforts to obtain a reaction from the Ministry of Labour were unsuccessful as of the time of filing the report.
