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Public servants under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) have reaffirmed their September 30, 2026 deadline to the Federal Government over the rising cost of petrol, wage award and negotiations for a new National Minimum Wage.
The council, comprising eight public sector unions, said workers would commence a three-day warning strike from October 2 if the government failed to address their demands.
The unions are demanding that the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) be reduced to N500 per litre, an immediate wage award for workers and the constitution of a tripartite committee to begin negotiations for a new National Minimum Wage ahead of 2027.
The JNPSNC had on September 21 written to President Bola Tinubu, outlining its demands and warning of industrial action if they were not addressed by September 30.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the National Secretary of the council and General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Olowoyo Gbenga, the unions said the September 30 deadline remained sacrosanct.
Gbenga said the continued increase in the price of petrol had placed workers and their dependants under severe economic pressure.
The council said PMS currently sells between N1,450 and N2,000 per litre in many locations, while prices in some areas outside major cities and communities could reach N2,500 per litre.
The unions called on the Federal Government to introduce an intervention fund to address landing costs and support oil and gas operators as part of measures to reduce petrol prices.
They also urged the government to ensure the supply of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery and modular refinery operators on appropriate terms to encourage domestic refining and reduce the cost of petroleum products.
On wages, the council called for an immediate wage award to cushion the impact of the prevailing economic hardship on workers, their families and other vulnerable Nigerians.
It said the measure would help workers cope with rising living costs while strengthening their commitment and productivity within the public service.
The council also demanded the immediate establishment of a tripartite committee to commence negotiations for the new National Minimum Wage expected to become due in 2027.
According to the unions, beginning the process early would prevent administrative or procedural delays that could affect the implementation of the new wage when eventually negotiated and enacted.
The JNPSNC warned that failure by the Federal Government to address the demands by September 30 would leave workers with no option but to embark on the three-day warning strike from October 2.
The council also said President Tinubu's Independence Day address should adequately address the concerns raised by Nigerian workers.
The unions said they had mobilised public servants nationwide for the proposed industrial action if the government failed to respond to their demands.
The JNPSNC comprises the Nigerian Civil Service Union, Medical and Health Workers Union, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria and National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives.
Others are the 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.
