Public servants under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, JNPSNC, Trade Union Side, have written to President Bola Tinubu, asking the Federal Government to urgently address the rising cost of living and worsening financial pressure on workers.
The workers want the price of petrol reduced and stabilised at N500 per litre, while also demanding an immediate Wage Award and a review of salaries and allowances across the public service. They also called for negotiations on a new National Minimum Wage ahead of January 2027.
The demands were contained in a letter sent to President Tinubu as workers raised concerns over the effect of rising fuel prices on transportation, food, housing and other basic needs.
The JNPSNC said petrol prices had risen to about N1,430 per litre or more in some parts of the country, making it harder for workers and their families to cope with everyday expenses. The council linked the increase in fuel prices to the wider rise in the cost of goods and services.
The workers gave the Federal Government until Wednesday, September 30, 2026, to respond to their demands. They warned that the continued economic pressure was increasing tension among workers and other Nigerians.
The council also referred to the removal of fuel subsidy three years ago, arguing that the policy had contributed to higher petrol prices and increased the cost of essential commodities.
According to the workers, distributing food items as temporary relief does not address the wider economic problems facing Nigerians. They argued that reducing fuel costs would have a wider effect because lower transportation and production expenses could help reduce pressure on the prices of goods and services.
The JNPSNC therefore called for an intervention in the oil sector that would help bring petrol down to N500 per litre. It said such a measure would provide relief to workers and other Nigerians who are dealing with rising transportation and household costs.
The council also supported proposals for stronger support for local refineries and better management of the country’s crude oil resources. It called for measures that could improve local refining, strengthen fuel supply and reduce the pressure created by dependence on expensive fuel imports.
On workers’ pay, the JNPSNC demanded an immediate Wage Award for employees at the federal, state and local government levels. It also requested an upward review of salaries and allowances to reflect the rising cost of living.
The workers said improved wages were needed to restore the purchasing power of public servants and help them cope with the rising cost of food, transportation, healthcare, education and housing.
The council further called for the immediate establishment of a committee to negotiate a new National Minimum Wage that would take effect from January 2027. It said starting the process early would help prevent delays when the new wage arrangement is expected to begin.
As part of its proposal, the JNPSNC requested a minimum monthly salary of N500,000 for an officer on Grade Level 01, Step 1, under the proposed 2027 salary structure.
The council also called for better coordination of wages across ministries, departments and agencies, as well as similar reviews for workers at the state and local government levels.
It further requested that salaries and allowances should be reviewed periodically in line with inflation so that workers’ incomes do not lose their value as living costs increase.
Other welfare measures requested by the workers include subsidised transportation and access to affordable housing for public servants.
The JNPSNC said the pressure caused by rising prices was affecting the ability of workers to meet basic financial responsibilities. It also linked the economic situation to concerns about workers’ morale, productivity and the delivery of public services.
The council urged the government to direct the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to begin discussions with the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, JNPSNC and other relevant stakeholders on the proposed Wage Award and salary review.
The workers maintained that action was needed before the September 30 deadline to ease the pressure on public servants and prevent further tension.
They also expressed expectations that President Tinubu would address their concerns in his forthcoming Independence Day broadcast as the government considers measures to respond to the worsening cost-of-living crisis.