Workers Give FG Deadline, Threaten Nationwide Strike Over N500 Petrol Price

Public servants under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) have renewed their warning to the Federal Government, insisting that their September 30 deadline over the rising cost of petrol, wage relief and a new minimum wage remains unchanged.

The workers said they would begin a three-day warning strike from Friday, October 2, if the Federal Government fails to respond to their demands before the deadline.

The council is asking the government to reduce the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, to N500 per litre.

It also wants an immediate wage award for workers and the early commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage expected to take effect in 2027.

The latest position was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the National Secretary of the JNPSNC and General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Gbenga Olowoyo.

The council said the September 30 deadline was still in force and that public servants had been mobilised across the country for the proposed industrial action.

The development comes barely days after the JNPSNC formally presented its demands to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The council had earlier asked the Federal Government to intervene in the rising cost of living and take measures that would provide immediate relief to workers and their families.

At the centre of the dispute is the price of petrol, which the workers said had continued to put pressure on household finances.

According to the council, petrol prices had risen to between N1,450 and N2,000 per litre in different locations, while prices in some areas outside major cities could reach N2,500 per litre.

The workers argued that the impact of expensive petrol goes beyond the cost of transportation. They said higher fuel prices also affect the movement of food, production, housing, healthcare, education and other essential services.

In its latest statement, the council said, “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 maintained that the present petrol price was placing public servants and other Nigerians under severe financial pressure.

“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.”

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.”

The demand for cheaper petrol is not the only issue that could trigger the planned strike.

The JNPSNC is also asking the Federal Government to approve a wage award for public servants.

The council said the measure would provide temporary relief to workers whose earnings have been affected by the rising cost of living.

“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 also linked the wage demand to productivity and the continued functioning of 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.”

Another major demand is the immediate establishment of a tripartite committee to begin negotiations for a new national minimum wage.

The workers want the process to begin well ahead of 2027 to prevent delays that could affect the implementation of any agreement eventually reached by the government, employers and labour representatives.

“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 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.

The JNPSNC had earlier proposed a minimum monthly salary of N500,000 for an officer on Grade Level 01, Step 1, under the proposed 2027 salary structure. It also called for the harmonisation of wages across government institutions and periodic reviews of salaries and allowances in line with economic realities.

The council’s demands cover workers across the public service and involve eight unions.

They include 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.

The proposed industrial action is therefore expected to affect a broad section of the public service if the dispute is not resolved.

The council has also placed particular emphasis on President Tinubu’s Independence Day address, saying the speech should address the concerns raised by Nigerian workers.

“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.

“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 said failure to respond to the demands would further deepen the dissatisfaction among workers and other Nigerians facing the effects of rising living costs.

“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.

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