Public servants under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) have reaffirmed plans to commence a three-day nationwide warning strike from Friday, October 2, 2026, if the Federal Government fails to address their demands over petrol prices, a wage award and negotiations for a new national minimum wage.

The council, which comprises eight public sector unions, said its September 30 deadline for government action remains in force.

The workers are demanding that the Federal Government reduce the pump price of petrol to ₦500 per litre, approve an immediate wage award to cushion the impact of rising living costs and urgently constitute a tripartite committee to begin negotiations for a new national minimum wage expected to take effect in 2027.

The JNPSNC had written to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on September 21, outlining its demands and calling for the issues to be addressed in his Independence Day broadcast on October 1.

In a statement issued by the council's National Secretary, Gbenga Olowoyo, the workers said failure by the Federal Government to take steps to address the issues by September 30 would leave them with "no option" but to commence the warning strike.

The council said the current petrol price, which it said ranges from about ₦1,450 to ₦2,000 per litre, and can be higher in some locations, was placing additional pressure on workers and their dependants. It proposed measures including an intervention fund to address landing costs and appropriate crude supply arrangements for domestic refineries.

On the wage award, the council said immediate government intervention was necessary to cushion the effects of prevailing economic pressures on workers and vulnerable Nigerians.

The unions also want the Federal Government to urgently establish a tripartite committee involving government, labour and employers to commence negotiations for a new minimum wage ahead of 2027. The council said early negotiations would help avoid delays in implementing a new wage when eventually agreed and passed into law.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has backed the position of the public sector unions, according to reports.

If implemented, the warning strike would run from Friday, October 2, to Sunday, October 4, potentially affecting government offices and public services involving the participating unions.

The Federal Government's response to the demands was not included in the latest statements issued by the council as the September 30 deadline approached.