Public sector unions under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) have directed federal, state and local government employees nationwide to begin a three-day warning strike from midnight.
The council cited the Federal Government’s failure to address its demands. These include cutting petrol prices to ₦500 per litre and announcing a wage award to cushion economic hardship.
The action followed President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day broadcast, which made no reference to these demands.
JNPSNC members include the Nigerian Civil Service Union (NCSU), Medical and Health Workers Union (M&HWU), Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), and National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).
Other affiliates are the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Employees (AUPCTRE) and the National Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees (NUAEE), among others. Employees of federal and state ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) are also affected.
Union Circular Confirms Strike Dates
A circular from JNPSNC’s National Secretary (Trade Union side), Olowoyo Gbenga, confirmed the strike would run from midnight on Friday, October 2, 2026, to Sunday, October 4, 2026.
It followed an earlier letter dated September 21, 2026, in which the council demanded the fuel price cut, a wage award, and a tripartite committee to begin minimum wage talks for 2027.
“The economic and mental hardships are becoming unbearable and frustrating. The time to act and mobilise workers for the three days warning strike is now,” the circular read.
A JNPSNC leader told another news media, Vanguard, that the union was “deeply disappointed” the President’s address offered no concrete relief for workers.
The council said the current pump price, ranging from ₦1,450 to as high as ₦2,500 per litre in some areas, is unacceptable.
It called on government to use an intervention fund to lower landing costs and ensure crude is sold to the Dangote Refinery and modular refineries on favourable terms.
SSANU Warns Against Delays On 2026 Agreement
Separately, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has warned against delays and selective implementation of its 2026 agreement with the Federal Government.
National President Mohammed Ibrahim raised the issue at the union’s 56th National Executive Council meeting at the University of Uyo.
Ibrahim said implementation had started in some universities but remained incomplete in others due to funding and administrative challenges.
“Agreements and NEC resolutions must translate into concrete action and measurable benefits for our members,” he said.
He added that the agreement took effect from January 1, 2026, though it was formally signed on June 29, 2026, meaning outstanding financial obligations from that period must still be settled.
“Our commitment to dialogue and constructive engagement should not be mistaken for weakness,” Ibrahim warned, saying the union would take lawful steps to defend its members if implementation is frustrated.
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