Public servants under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) have declared a three-day nationwide warning strike beginning at midnight on Friday, October 2, and ending on Sunday, October 4, 2026.

In a circular titled “Declaration of Three (3) Day Warning Strike; Action With Immediate Effect,” the council directed public servants across the federal, state and local government services to withdraw their services during the period.

The council said the action followed the Federal Government’s failure to address demands contained in its September 21 letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Among its demands are the stabilisation of petrol prices at ₦500 per litre, an immediate wage award for workers across the three tiers of government, an upward review of salaries and allowances, and the immediate constitution of a committee to negotiate a new national minimum wage ahead of January 2027.

Earlier reports indicated that the council was seeking a new minimum wage of not less than ₦500,000.

The JNPSNC had given the Federal Government until September 30 to address its demands and called on President Tinubu to respond to the issues in his Independence Day broadcast.

The warning strike was declared after the deadline elapsed without the council announcing a resolution of the issues.

The JNPSNC comprises eight public sector unions. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has backed the council’s position, with its Assistant General Secretary, Chris Onyeka, warning that the dispute could escalate into a wider national strike if the demands are not addressed.

The Federal Government has acknowledged the workers’ demands, while a source in the Ministry of Labour said the matter was being handled by the appropriate authorities.

However, no official response confirming acceptance of the demands had been obtained at the time of filing this report.

In August, the council suspended a separate ultimatum after the Federal Government agreed to pay an outstanding wage award.