Public service workers under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council have declared a three-day warning strike from October 2 to 4, 2026, over what they described as worsening economic and mental hardship affecting workers and their dependants.
The council directed its national and state leaders to mobilise workers for the industrial action, scheduled to commence at midnight on Friday, October 2, and end on Sunday, October 4.
The directive was contained in a circular dated October 1, 2026, and signed by the National Secretary of the JNPSNC, Olowoyo Gbenga, who urged the council’s leadership to ensure that the information was disseminated to workers across the country.
According to the circular, the decision followed the Federal Government’s alleged failure to address requests previously submitted to President Bola Tinubu in a letter dated September 21, 2026.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress has thrown its weight behind the council, while it also demanded an immediate reduction in the price of petrol, a nationwide wage award and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
The congress warned that rising living costs have eroded workers’ purchasing power.
The NLC, in its Independence Day message disseminated by its President, Joe Ajaero, said the demands became necessary as workers and other Nigerians continued to grapple with rising transportation, food, rent, and education costs.
It particularly linked the worsening cost-of-living crisis to the increase in petrol prices following the removal of the subsidy in 2023.
NIM
