A three-day warning strike has been declared by public service workers under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) from 2 to 4 October 2026, citing deteriorating economic and mental hardship suffered by workers and their dependents.
Following the Federal Government’s alleged failure to address demands sent to President Bola Tinubu on 21 September 2026, the council directed its national and state leaders to mobilise members for the industrial action. The work stoppage is set to begin at midnight on Friday, 2 October, and conclude on Sunday, 4 October, with public servants across federal, state and local government services expected to participate.
The planned action follows prior demands by the JNPSNC for measures to cushion rising living costs. The council requested that the Federal Government reduce the pump price of petrol to ₦500 per litre, approve an immediate wage award, and set up a tripartite committee to negotiate a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027. These demands come amid growing concerns over declining purchasing power and escalating costs for essential goods, transportation and household expenses.
In a circular issued on 1 October 2026 and signed by National Secretary Olowoyo Gbenga, leadership was urged to ensure widespread dissemination of the directive. Describing the present situation as frustrating and unbearable, the circular urged public servants across all three tiers of government to join the strike, noting that “all workers, their dependants, vulnerable and hapless Nigerians are groaning terribly under the present economic hardship.”
The circular instructed leaders that “the time to act and mobilise workers for the three-day warning strike is now!!!” and instructed that “consequent upon the above, the strike shall start with effect from midnight of Friday, 2nd October, 2026, to Sunday, October 4th, 2026.”
Maintaining that the industrial action will proceed as planned, the council concluded its notice by rallying its membership, declaring, “Please, disseminate the information!!! Surely, there is victory for us!!!”