Public service workers across Nigeria are set to embark on a three-day warning strike starting from midnight on October 2, 2026, in response to the Federal Government's failure to address pressing demands. The strike, organized by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), will conclude on October 4, 2026.

The decision to strike was communicated through a circular signed by JNPSNC National Secretary Olowoyo Gbenga, which emphasized the urgent need for action due to the worsening economic conditions affecting workers and their families. The council's demands include a reduction in petrol prices to N500 per litre, the immediate approval of a wage award, and the establishment of a committee to negotiate a new national minimum wage before 2027.

The JNPSNC's call to action follows a letter submitted to President Bola Tinubu on September 21, 2026, which outlined these demands. The council expressed frustration over the government's inaction, stating that the economic and mental hardships faced by workers have become unbearable. The circular urged all public servants at the federal, state, and local government levels to participate in the strike, framing it as a collective response to the ongoing hardships.

In their statement, the JNPSNC highlighted the deteriorating conditions that have left many workers and their dependents struggling. "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," the circular stated, reinforcing the solidarity among workers in the face of adversity.

The council's demands reflect broader concerns regarding the rising costs of living in Nigeria, particularly the increasing prices of food and transportation, which have significantly impacted the purchasing power of workers. The JNPSNC has called for widespread dissemination of the strike notice, encouraging members to rally together for their cause.

This warning strike comes amid a backdrop of increasing tensions between labor unions and the government, as other groups, including the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), have also threatened to resume strikes over unresolved issues. ASUU's president recently issued a warning that the union could reactivate its suspended nationwide strike if the government fails to address their demands.

As the warning strike approaches, public service workers are preparing to take a stand, hoping that their collective action will prompt the government to respond to their urgent needs and alleviate the economic pressures they face.