Public servants across Nigeria have commenced a three-day warning strike following the failure of the Federal Government to address demands presented by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC).
The industrial action began at midnight on Friday, October 2, 2026, and is expected to run until Sunday, October 4. It affects workers across the federal, state and local government services, including employees of ministries, departments and agencies.
The JNPSNC directed the leadership of its affiliated unions to mobilise workers nationwide for the action through a circular dated October 1 and signed by its National Secretary, Olowoyo Gbenga.
According to the council, the strike followed the government’s failure to respond to requests contained in a letter submitted to President Bola Tinubu on September 21.
Among the issues raised by the unions is the high cost of living, which they said has placed increasing financial pressure on workers, their families and other vulnerable Nigerians.
The council is demanding that the pump price of petrol be reduced to ₦500 per litre and has called for an immediate wage award for public servants to cushion the effects of rising living costs.
It is also seeking the immediate establishment of a tripartite committee to commence negotiations for a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027.
The unions had given the government a deadline of September 30 to respond to their demands, warning that failure to do so would lead to industrial action. When the deadline passed without the requested measures, the council proceeded with the warning strike.
The JNPSNC said the economic difficulties confronting workers had become increasingly severe, with rising costs of transportation, food and other essential goods putting additional pressure on household incomes.
The warning strike is intended to draw the government’s attention to the workers’ concerns and push for action on the outstanding demands.
The council has emphasised that the action is a three-day warning strike rather than an indefinite industrial action. Public servants covered by the directive are expected to remain away from their official duties until the exercise ends on October 4.
The extent of disruption to government services will depend on the level of compliance by workers and the participating unions across the three tiers of government.
