Public service workers across Nigeria have announced a three-day warning strike scheduled for October 2 to 4, 2026, to protest worsening economic conditions and demand improved welfare.
The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) directed its national and state executives to immediately mobilise workers for the industrial action, which will begin at midnight on Friday and end on Sunday.
The directive was contained in a circular dated October 1, 2026, and signed by the council’s National Secretary, Olowoyo Gbenga.
The council said the decision followed the Federal Government’s alleged failure to respond to demands submitted to President Bola Tinubu in a letter dated September 21.
It also called on employees across federal, state and local government establishments to participate, insisting that workers and their dependants were bearing the brunt of the economic crisis.
“In the same vein, all public servants in the services of Federal, State and Local Governments are to join the warning strike because an injury to one is an injury to all, most especially, all workers, their dependants, vulnerable and hapless Nigerians are groaning terribly under the present economic hardship,” the circular stated.
Describing the situation as increasingly distressing, the council added, “The economic and mental hardships are becoming unbearable and frustrating.”
Among its outstanding demands are a reduction in petrol prices to ₦500 per litre, an immediate wage award for workers and the constitution of a tripartite committee to negotiate a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027.
Urging its members to ensure widespread awareness of the planned action, the council declared, “The time to act and mobilise workers for the three-day warning strike is now!”
It concluded by expressing confidence in the outcome of the industrial action, saying, “Please, disseminate the information!Surely, there is victory for us!”
