The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) has maintained its September 30 deadline for the Federal Government to address the rising cost of petrol, approve a wage award and begin negotiations for a new national minimum wage, warning that public servants could begin a three-day warning strike from October 2, 2026, if the demands are not met.
The council, which brings together eight public sector unions, said it had mobilised its members across the country for the planned industrial action if the Federal Government fails to respond to the issues raised before the deadline.
The unions are demanding that the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol, be reduced to N500 per litre. They are also asking the government to introduce a wage award to help workers cope with the rising cost of living.
The council further wants the Federal Government to immediately set up a tripartite committee to begin discussions on a new national minimum wage expected to take effect in 2027.
The JNPSNC had communicated its demands to President Bola Tinubu in a letter dated September 21, asking the government to take urgent steps on petrol prices, workers’ wages and the proposed minimum wage negotiations.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 29, the council said the September 30 deadline remained in place. It said the Federal Government’s response to the demands, including what is contained in the President’s Independence Day address, would determine whether the planned warning strike would go ahead.
The council’s National Secretary and General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Gbenga Olowoyo, said workers were particularly concerned about the effect of high petrol prices on their income and daily expenses.
The unions said petrol currently sells for about N1,450 to N2,000 per litre in many areas, while prices can reach about N2,500 in some locations outside major cities and communities.
The JNPSNC argued that the high cost of petrol had increased pressure on workers and their families by pushing up transportation expenses and the cost of other basic needs.
To reduce the price of petrol, the council proposed government intervention to lower landing costs and measures that would support oil and gas operators.
It also called for crude oil to be made available to the Dangote Refinery and modular refineries under suitable terms, saying increased local refining could help reduce the cost of petroleum products.
On workers’ wages, the council wants the Federal Government to approve a wage award as an immediate measure to ease the impact of current economic pressures on public servants and other vulnerable Nigerians.
The council said a wage award would provide temporary support to workers while broader discussions on a new minimum wage take place.
The unions also want the government to establish a tripartite committee without delay to begin negotiations for a new national minimum wage expected in 2027.
According to the council, starting the process early would help prevent administrative delays that could affect the implementation of the new wage after an agreement is reached and passed into law.
The JNPSNC comprises the Nigerian Civil Service Union, Medical and Health Workers Union, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria and National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives.
Other members are the 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.
The council said public servants nationwide had been mobilised ahead of the October 2 action.
It maintained that failure by the Federal Government to address the issues by September 30 would lead to the commencement of the three-day warning strike.
The proposed action comes amid wider labour concerns over the effect of petrol prices on workers and households. The Nigeria Labour Congress had also recently called for wage support and other measures after petrol prices rose to around N1,430 per litre in major cities.
The JNPSNC’s latest position therefore places renewed pressure on the Federal Government to respond to the workers’ demands before the September 30 deadline.