Petrol Price, Wage Award: Public Servants Threaten 3-Day Warning Strike From Friday

Public servants under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) have threatened to embark on a three-day warning strike from Friday if the Federal Government fails to reduce petrol price to N500 per litre and approve a new wage award for workers.

In a statement on Tuesday, the National Secretary of the JNPSNC and General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), Gbenga Olowoyo, said the September 30 ultimatum earlier issued to the government over rising petrol price and negotiations for a new national minimum wage remains sacrosanct.

He said workers have been mobilised to commence industrial action should President Bola Tinubu fail to announce a drastic cut in petrol price and a new minimum wage in his Independence Day broadcast.

“The three critical issues requiring urgent attention are as follows: reduction of fuel price to N500 per litre. The Federal Government should take urgent steps to bring down the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to N500 per litre,” the statement reads.

“The Federal Government should urgently approve a wage award for Nigerian workers to cushion the effects of the prevailing harsh economic conditions being experienced by workers, their dependants, and vulnerable Nigerians.

“It is imperative to state clearly that the Independence Day address of the President should adequately address these critical issues.

“Consequently, the Council states that failure by the Federal Government to address these issues on or before September 30, 2026 will leave Nigerian workers with no option but to commence a three-day warning strike with effect from Friday, October 2, 2026, to press home their demands.”

Olowoyo disclosed that the Council had in a letter to Tinubu on September 21 made three demands, including commencement of negotiations for a minimum wage of not less than N500,000 from 2027.

He expressed displeasure that no visible action had been taken more than a week after the letter was sent.

‘Address Landing Costs, Support Operators’

The JNPSNC scribe said petrol price reduction could be achieved through an intervention fund 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 operators of modular refineries at appropriate terms to facilitate increased domestic refining and help bring down the price of petroleum products,” Olowoyo said.

He argued that the current PMS price, ranging from N1,450 to N2,000 per litre and as high as N2,500 in some locations outside major cities, is unacceptable to Nigerian workers.

According to him, “the economic hardship occasioned by the high cost of fuel is placing the survival of Nigerian workers, their dependants and the general populace under severe pressure, making it increasingly difficult for Nigerians to live normal and dignified lives.”

He said urgent action on the demands would enable public servants to consolidate their loyalty, commitment and productivity.

Olowoyo added that workers are also demanding the immediate constitution of a tripartite committee to negotiate the new minimum wage.

“The demand for the immediate constitution of the committee is informed by the need to avoid any administrative or procedural delay that could affect implementation of the new National Minimum Wage once it is eventually negotiated and passed into law by the National Assembly,” he said.

The JNPSNC comprises eight public sector unions, including the NCSU, Medical and Health Workers Union, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), 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.