Nigerian Workers Begin Three-Day Warning Strike Over Economic Hardship

ABUJA — Federal, state and local government workers across Nigeria are set to embark on a three-day warning strike from Friday, October 2, to Sunday, October 4, 2026, following unresolved demands by public sector unions over the rising cost of living and worsening economic conditions.

The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) directed public servants nationwide to fully comply with the industrial action, which is scheduled to commence at midnight on Friday.

The council said the decision followed the Federal Government’s failure to respond satisfactorily to demands contained in its September 21 letter to President Bola Tinubu.

Among the demands are a reduction in the pump price of petrol to ₦500 per litre, immediate payment of a wage award to workers, and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage expected to take effect in 2027.

In a circular dated October 1 and signed by the council’s National Secretary on the Trade Union side, Olowoyo Gbenga, affiliate unions and their members at the federal, state and local government levels were directed to ensure compliance with the strike.

The JNPSNC said the prevailing economic situation had placed workers, their dependants and other vulnerable Nigerians under severe financial pressure.

The council had earlier issued September 30 as a deadline for the government to address its demands, warning that failure to do so would result in the three-day warning strike.

The unions also expressed disappointment that President Tinubu’s Independence Day address did not announce a reduction in petrol prices or immediate measures specifically addressing the economic pressures facing workers.

According to the council, petrol prices currently range from about ₦1,400 to ₦2,000 per litre in different parts of the country, with prices reportedly higher in some locations.

Beyond petrol price reduction, the JNPSNC called for an intervention fund to reduce fuel landing costs and urged the Federal Government to ensure that crude oil is made available to the Dangote Refinery and modular refineries on appropriate terms to support domestic refining.

On workers’ earnings, the council demanded an immediate wage award to cushion the effects of inflation and declining purchasing power.

It also called for the establishment of a tripartite committee to commence negotiations for a new national minimum wage ahead of its proposed implementation in 2027.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed support for measures aimed at reducing the cost of living, including lower petrol prices and a nationwide wage award.

NLC President Joe Ajaero, in the union’s Independence Day message, cited rising fuel prices, inflation, transportation costs, unemployment and insecurity among factors contributing to economic pressure on workers and Nigerians generally.

The NLC also called for the implementation of outstanding agreements between labour and government, tax relief measures, a reduction in the cost of governance and early negotiations for a new minimum wage.

The labour centre further stated that workers should retain the right to make independent political choices ahead of the 2027 general elections