Civil servants lamented economic hardship and announced a strike

Civil servants under the auspices of the Joint National Public Service Bargaining Council (JNPSNC) deplore the increasing economic hardship in the country, caused by the high cost of living, and the high prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

Therefore, they gave the federal government until September 30, 2026 to respond to their demands or they will give a warning on October 2, 2026.

They reiterated their demands for a wage increase and the start of negotiations on a new National Minimum Wage.

The JNPSNC, which comprises eight public sector unions, on Tuesday issued a three-day strike notice to the Federal Government, starting October 2, if the government fails to cut the price of petrol to N500 per litre, announce wage relief and introduce other measures to quell major hardships in the country.

JNPSNC members include the Nigerian Civil Servants Union (NCSU); Medical and Health Workers Union (M&HWU); Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN); and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).

Others are the Association of Public Enterprises, Technical Employees and Civil Servant Recreation (AUPCTRE); Nigerian Union of Public Service, Reporting, Secretariat, Data Processing and Allied Workers (NUPSRAW); National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers (NUPPPProw); and the National Union of Agricultural and Allied Employees (NUAEE).

The council said it has mobilized civil servants across the country to go on a three-day warning strike if the Federal Government fails to address the issues raised in its letter to President Bola Tinubu before the stipulated deadline.

The JNPSNC, on September 21, had written to President Tinubu, demanding, among other things, a reduction in the price of petrol to N500, an immediate announcement of remuneration and the commencement of negotiations on a minimum wage of not less than N500,000 from 2027.

In a statement on Tuesday, JNPSNC leaders warned that if the issue of fuel pump prices and remuneration is not resolved by September 30, especially during the Independence anniversary speech by President Tinubu, civil servants across the country will embark on a three-day commemorative strike starting October 2, 2026.

A statement issued by JNPSNC National Secretary and Secretary General of the Nigerian Union of Civil Servants, Olowoyo Gbenga, said the September 30 deadline remained sacrosanct, and stressed that the concerns of Nigerian workers could no longer be ignored.

According to him, “three important issues that require immediate attention are as follows: reduction in the price of fuel to N500 per liter. The Federal Government must take immediate steps to reduce the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to N500 per liter. The Federal Government must take immediate steps to reduce the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to N500 per liter.

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“This can be achieved through providing intervention funding to address landing costs and support oil and gas operators.

“It is equally important for the Federal Government to ensure the sale of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery and modular refinery operators on the right terms to facilitate increased domestic refining and help reduce the price of petroleum products.

“The current price of PMS, ranging from N1,450 to N2,000 and, in some locations outside major communities and towns, as high as N2,500 per litre, is unacceptable for Nigerian workers.

“The Council is of the opinion that the economic hardship caused by high fuel prices places the survival of Nigerian workers, their dependents and the general public under severe pressure, making it increasingly difficult for Nigerians to lead normal and dignified lives.

Wage Awards

“The Federal Government must immediately approve remuneration for Nigerian workers to cushion the impact of the difficult economic conditions experienced by workers, their dependents and vulnerable Nigerians.

“The Council believes that immediate action on these demands will further enable civil servants to consolidate their loyalty, commitment and productivity within the public service ecosystem.

Minimum Wage Committee

“The Federal Government should immediately establish a tripartite committee to initiate and facilitate negotiations on the new National Minimum Wage which is expected to be due in 2027.

“The request of Nigerian workers to immediately establish this committee is based on the need to avoid administrative or procedural delays that could affect the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage once it has been negotiated and passed into law by the National Assembly.

Warning Attack

“Consequently, the Council states that the failure of the Federal Government to take the necessary steps to address this issue on or before September 30, 2026 will leave Nigerian workers with no choice but to commence a three-day warning strike, with effect from Friday, October 2, 2026, to meet their demands.

“It is important to state clearly that the speech of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Independence Day must adequately address these critical issues.

“Failure to address the concerns raised, the Council believes, will breed resentment among Nigerian workers and their dependents, as well as other vulnerable Nigerians who continue to bear the brunt of existing economic hardship.”