Public servants under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, JNPSNC, have reaffirmed their September 30, 2026 deadline to the Federal Government over the high cost of petrol, a wage award and negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
The council said it would commence a three-day warning strike from October 2 if the Federal Government failed to address its demands by the deadline.
The JNPSNC, which comprises eight public sector unions, had on September 21 written to President Bola Tinubu, demanding a reduction in petrol prices to N500 per litre, an immediate wage award for workers and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage expected to take effect in 2027.
The unions said they had mobilised public servants nationwide for the proposed warning strike.
Members of the council include the Nigerian Civil Service Union, Medical and Health Workers Union, 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, and National Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the National Secretary of the JNPSNC and General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Gbenga Olowoyo, the council said its September 30 deadline remained unchanged.
Olowoyo said the concerns of Nigerian workers could no longer be ignored, particularly amid rising living costs.
The council’s first major demand is for the Federal Government to reduce the price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, to N500 per litre.
“The Federal Government should take urgent steps to bring down the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to N500 per litre.”
The workers proposed an intervention fund to address landing costs and support operators in the oil and gas sector.
They also called on the Federal Government to ensure the sale of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery and modular refinery operators on appropriate terms, arguing that increased domestic refining could help reduce petroleum product prices.
The JNPSNC said petrol prices currently ranging from N1,450 to N2,000 per litre, and reaching as high as N2,500 in some locations outside major communities and cities, were placing significant pressure on workers and their families.
The council also demanded an immediate wage award to cushion the impact of rising living costs.
It said the payment would help workers cope with the economic pressure while supporting their continued productivity and commitment to the public service.
The third major demand is the immediate constitution of a tripartite committee to begin negotiations for a new national minimum wage expected to become due in 2027.
The workers said establishing the committee early would prevent administrative delays that could affect the negotiation, passage and implementation of a new minimum wage.
“The Federal Government should urgently establish a tripartite committee to commence and facilitate negotiations for the new national minimum wage expected to become due in 2027.”
The JNPSNC said failure by the Federal Government to address the demands by September 30 would leave the workers with no option but to commence the proposed three-day warning strike on Friday, October 2.
The council also said President Tinubu’s Independence Day address on October 1 should adequately address the issues raised by the workers.
“Failure to address the concerns raised, according to the Council, will attract the displeasure of Nigerian workers and their dependants, as well as other vulnerable Nigerians who continue to bear the brunt of the prevailing economic hardship.”
The proposed action would affect public servants represented by the eight unions under the JNPSNC if the council proceeds with the strike.
The Federal Government’s response to the demands and whether the planned warning strike will go ahead remained the key issues ahead of the September 30 deadline.
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