The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, which represents eight public sector unions, said its September 30 deadline remained unchanged, warning that public servants across the country had been mobilised for industrial action.
The council is demanding that the Federal Government reduce the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol, to N500 per litre, introduce an immediate wage award to cushion the effects of the rising cost of living and commence negotiations for a new national minimum wage expected to take effect in 2027.
The ultimatum comes amid continuing concerns over the high cost of transportation, food and other essential commodities, with workers arguing that the prevailing cost of petrol has placed additional pressure on household incomes.
The JNPSNC comprises the Nigerian Civil Service Union; Medical and Health Workers Union; 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 unions had on September 21 written to President Bola Tinubu, asking the Federal Government to take urgent steps to reduce the price of petrol to N500 per litre, announce a wage award and begin preparations for negotiations on a new minimum wage of not less than N500,000 from 2027, among other demands.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 29, the leadership of the council said the September 30 deadline remained sacrosanct.
The statement, signed by the National Secretary of the JNPSNC and General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Gbenga Olowoyo, said the concerns of Nigerian workers could no longer be ignored.
Petrol price
Olowoyo said the council expected the Federal Government to take immediate measures to reduce the cost of petrol, which workers said had become increasingly difficult to afford.
According to him, “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.
“This can be achieved through the provision of 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.”
The council said the prevailing petrol price was having a direct impact on workers and their families.
“The current price of PMS, ranging from N1,450 to N2,000 and, in some locations outside major communities and cities, as high as N2,500 per litre, is unacceptable to Nigerian workers,” the statement said.
It added, “The council maintains that 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.”
Demand for wage award
The workers also renewed their demand for an immediate wage award, saying the measure would help public servants cope with the impact of the current economic situation.
“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,” the council said.
It added that action on the demand would help sustain workers’ commitment to the public service.
“The council believes that urgent action on this demand will further enable public servants to consolidate their loyalty, commitment and productivity within the public service ecosystem.”
2027 minimum wage negotiations
Beyond immediate relief, the unions are also pushing the Federal Government to begin preparations for negotiations on a new national minimum wage.
The council called for the urgent establishment of a tripartite committee comprising the government, employers and labour representatives to commence negotiations for the new wage expected to become due in 2027.
“The Federal Government should urgently establish a tripartite committee to commence and facilitate negotiations for the new national minimum wage expected to become due in 2027,” the statement said.
The council said the early constitution of the committee was necessary to prevent bureaucratic or procedural delays that could affect the implementation of a new wage after negotiations are concluded and the necessary legislation passed by the National Assembly.
“The Nigerian workers’ demand for the immediate constitution of the committee is informed by the need to avoid any administrative or procedural delay that could affect the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage once it is eventually negotiated and passed into law by the National Assembly,” the statement added.
October 2 strike deadline
The council said its proposed industrial action would commence on Friday, October 2, if the Federal Government failed to respond to the demands by the September 30 deadline.
“Consequently, the council states that failure by the Federal Government to take the necessary steps to address these issues on or before 30th September 2026 will leave Nigerian workers with no option but to commence a three-day warning strike, with effect from Friday, 2nd October 2026, to press home their demands,” the statement said.
The unions also placed particular emphasis on President Tinubu’s Independence Day address, saying workers expected the speech to address the issues they had raised.
“It is imperative to state clearly that the Independence Day address of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should adequately address these critical issues.”
The council warned that failure to meet the demands would further aggravate dissatisfaction among workers and other Nigerians affected by the economic pressures.
“Failure to address the concerns raised, according to the Council, will attract the displeasure of Nigerian workers and their dependants, as well as other vulnerable Nigerians who continue to bear the brunt of the prevailing economic hardship,” the statement concluded.