Public Servants Begin Three-Day Nationwide Warning Strike Over Unresolved Demands

By BIMBO ADEYEMI

PUBLIC servants across the federal, state and local government levels have begun a three-day nationwide warning strike over unresolved demands by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council.

The industrial action commenced at midnight on Friday 2nd October, and is scheduled to end on Sunday 4th October 2026.

In a circular issued on Thursday, the council directed workers to withdraw their services nationwide. National Secretary, Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga, signed the directive.

The council said the decision followed the Federal Government’s failure to provide a satisfactory response to demands submitted to President Bola Tinubu on 21st September.

Among the workers’ demands is a reduction and stabilisation of petrol prices at ₦500 per litre. They are also seeking the payment of wage awards to public servants across the three tiers of government.

In addition, the workers want upward adjustments to salaries and allowances to reflect prevailing economic conditions.

They are equally demanding the immediate creation of a committee to begin negotiations for a new national minimum wage before January 2027.

Earlier, the council had warned that the government’s response would determine whether it would proceed with the proposed warning strike.

However, the absence of a response has now triggered the industrial action.

The council consequently urged public servants nationwide to participate fully in the strike.

It linked the action to rising living costs and increasing economic pressure on workers and their families.

Furthermore, the council said vulnerable Nigerians were also feeling the effects of the difficult economic conditions.

It therefore called for collective action, insisting that public servants needed a coordinated response to the challenges confronting them.