Public service workers under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council have declared a three-day warning strike from Friday, October 2, to Sunday, October 4, 2026, citing worsening economic and mental hardship among workers and their dependants.
The council directed its national and state leadership to mobilise workers for the industrial action, which is scheduled to begin at midnight on Friday and end on Sunday.
The directive was contained in a circular dated October 1, 2026, and signed by the National Secretary of the JNPSNC, Olowoyo Gbenga.
According to the circular, the decision followed what the council described as the Federal Government’s failure to respond to demands earlier submitted to President Bola Tinubu in a letter dated September 21, 2026.
The council stated, “Consequent upon the above, the strike shall start with effect from midnight of Friday, 2nd October, 2026, to Sunday, October 4th, 2026.”
The council called on public servants across the federal, state and local government services to participate in the warning strike, saying the action was aimed at drawing attention to the difficulties confronting workers and other vulnerable Nigerians.
It stated, “In the same vein, 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, most especially, all workers, their dependants, vulnerable and hapless Nigerians are groaning terribly under the present economic hardship.”
The JNPSNC further said the situation had become increasingly difficult, stating, “The economic and mental hardships are becoming unbearable and frustrating.”
The council urged its leaders to commence immediate mobilisation for the industrial action, declaring, “The time to act and mobilise workers for the three-day warning strike is now!!!”
The planned strike follows earlier demands by the council for measures to ease the impact of rising living costs, including a reduction in petrol prices, a wage award for workers and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027.
The JNPSNC had reportedly demanded that the Federal Government reduce the pump price of petrol to N500 per litre, approve an immediate wage award and establish a tripartite committee to negotiate a new national minimum wage.
The demands come amid concerns over the rising cost of essential goods, transportation and other household expenses, which have affected workers’ purchasing power.
Concluding the circular, the council urged its members to circulate the strike notice and expressed confidence in the outcome of the action.
“Please, disseminate the information!!! Surely, there is victory for us!!!” the circular added.
