Government Workers Begin Three-Day Warning Strike Over Fuel Prices and Wages
Public servants in across Nigeria have commenced a three-day nationwide warning strike over rising petrol prices, worsening economic hardship and demands for immediate financial relief.
The industrial action, which began at midnight on Friday, October 2, is expected to end on Sunday, October 4, 2026. It affects workers in Federal, State and Local Government Services, including employees of Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
The strike was declared by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, JNPSNC, which directed its national and state leaders to mobilise members. The Council said the action followed the Federal Government’s failure to address its concerns before a September 30 deadline.
In a letter dated September 21, 2026 addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Council outlined demands for a reduction in petrol prices, an immediate wage award and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027.
The Unions said they decided to proceed after the President’s Independence Day address on October 1 did not include specific commitments on petrol prices and wage relief.
In a circular dated October 1 and signed by the JNPSNC National Secretary, Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga, the Council directed affiliate unions to disseminate the strike notice and mobilise workers. The Council said economic pressures facing workers, their dependants and other vulnerable Nigerians had become difficult to bear.
One of the principal demands is an urgent reduction in the pump price of petrol to ₦500 per litre. The Council has called on government to consider intervention measures for the downstream petroleum market, including an intervention fund for petrol landing costs, support for oil and gas operators, and crude oil supply arrangements for the Dangote Refinery and modular refineries to encourage domestic refining.
Reports before the strike put petrol prices at between ₦1,450 and ₦2,000 per litre in various locations, with some areas reportedly recording prices as high as ₦2,500 per litre. The Council said expensive fuel has contributed to rising transport fares, food prices and the overall cost of living.
The Council is also demanding an immediate wage award to cushion the impact of current economic conditions. A wage award is an additional payment intended to provide financial relief to employees pending further adjustments to wages.
On remuneration, the JNPSNC is calling for the immediate establishment of a tripartite committee to commence negotiations for a new national minimum wage expected to become due in 2027. The Council is demanding negotiations towards a minimum wage of not less than ₦500,000. It said starting early would help prevent administrative delays.
The JNPSNC comprises eight public-sector unions. They include the Nigerian Civil Service Union; Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria; Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria; National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives; Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Employees; Nigeria Union of Public Service, Reportorial, Secretarial, Data Processors and Allied Workers; National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers; and National Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees.
The directive covers public servants at federal, state and local government levels. The strike could affect administrative services at Local Government Secretariats and other public offices, including documentation, correspondence and revenue-related transactions. The extent of disruption will depend on the level of participation and arrangements for essential services.
As of October 2, reports confirmed the commencement of the strike following the expiration of the Unions’ deadline. There was no announcement of a new government agreement or suspension of the action.
The focus now is on developments during the three-day warning strike and any response from the Federal Government.