Public sector workers say they will down tools from Friday, October 2, if the Federal Government fails to meet their demands on petrol price and workers’ welfare.
The workers, under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, JNPSNC, said the deadline they gave the government expires today, September 30.
In a statement on Tuesday, the National Secretary of the Council, Gbenga Olowoyo, said Nigerian workers have endured harsh economic conditions for too long and can no longer bear the burden.
According to Olowoyo, workers are demanding three things.“The three critical issues requiring urgent attention are as follows: reduction of fuel price to ₦500 per litre. The Federal Government should take urgent steps to bring down the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to ₦500 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 dependents, and vulnerable Nigerians.”
The Council said workers want petrol to sell for ₦500 per litre, immediate approval of a wage award to cushion the rising cost of living, and the constitution of a tripartite committee to negotiate a new minimum wage of at least ₦500,000 from 2027.
Olowoyo disclosed that the Council had written to President Bola Tinubu since September 21, but nothing has been done.
He added that the President’s Independence Day speech must speak to workers’ plight.
“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.
“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,” he said.
On how the government can reduce petrol prices, the workers suggested an intervention fund to cover landing costs and support for local refiners.
“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 said workers want the new minimum wage committee set up now to avoid delay in implementation.
“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,” he added.
