Civil servants will go on a three-day warning strike over hardship and minimum wages

Public service workers under the National Public Service Bargaining Council have announced a three-day warning strike, citing worsening economic conditions and increasing hardship among workers and their dependents.

The industrial action is planned to start at midnight on Friday, October 2 2026, and last until Sunday, October 4.

The council has directed its national and state leadership to immediately begin mobilizing workers across the country ahead of the strike.

The directive was contained in a circular dated October 1, 2026 and signed by the National Secretary of JNPSNC, Olowoyo Gbenga.

The circular linked the action plan to what the council described as the failure of the Federal Government to respond to demands previously made to President Bola Tinubu in a letter dated September 21, 2026.

Confirming the start date, the council stated, “As a consequence of the above, the strike will commence from midnight on Friday, October 2, 2026, until Sunday, October 4, 2026.”

JNPSNC is calling on workers across federal, state and local government services to participate in a warning strike.

It said the move was intended to draw attention to the economic hardships facing workers and other vulnerable communities in Nigeria.

The council stated, “Similarly, all civil servants in the Federal, State and Local governments should take part in this commemorative strike because injury to any civil servant would be detrimental to everyone, especially all workers, their dependents, the vulnerable and disadvantaged Nigerians who are groaning loudly under the current economic hardship.”

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The labor body also expressed concern over the impact of the economic situation on workers’ well-being, saying, “The economic and mental hardships have become unbearable and frustrating.”

Therefore, they directed their officials and members to begin mobilization without delay, stating, “The time to act and mobilize workers for the three-day warning strike is now!!!”

This latest warning comes against the backdrop of demands previously made by the council to the Federal Government regarding the rising cost of living and declining purchasing power of workers.

Among the demands reported by JNPSNC are a reduction in the price of petrol to N500 per litre, immediate provision of wages for workers and the formation of a tripartite committee to begin discussions on a new national minimum wage by 2027.

The council’s position comes amid continued concerns over rising prices of essential commodities, transportation and other household expenses, which have placed additional financial pressure on workers and their families.

The union body stated that further action may be needed to draw attention to the issue if their demands are not adequately addressed.

For now, the October 2-4 warning strike remains a direct action announced by the council, and workers at all three levels of government are directed to participate.

The circular also urges union leaders and members to ensure that the information reaches all workers across the country.

Concluding the notice, the council said, “Please, spread the word!!! Certainly, there is a win for us!!!”

The directive means that, unless any further developments change that position, civil servants covered by the council’s directive are expected to begin a three-day warning strike from midnight on October 2.