The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) has renewed its ultimatum to the federal government over rising petrol prices, and a new national minimum wage.
The council has issued a three-day warning strike notice to the federal government from October 2 if the government fails to reduce petrol prices to N500 per litre, approve a wage award and take other measures to ease the economic hardship facing Nigerians.
JNPSNC Mobilises Public Servants for Strike
The JNPSNC said it had mobilised public servants across the country to participate in the three-day warning strike if the government failed to address the issues it raised in a letter to President Bola Tinubu before the September 30 deadline. 
The council had written to President Tinubu demanding a reduction in the price of petrol to N500 per litre and the commencement of negotiations for a new minimum wage of not less than N500,000 from 2027.
The labour leaders also warned that public servants nationwide would begin the three-day warning strike on October 2 if the government failed to address the rising petrol price and wage award demands, particularly in the President’s Independence Day address.
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Labour Demands Petrol Price Reduction
In a statement issued by the National Secretary of the JNPSNC and General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Gbenga Olowoyo, the council maintained that the September 30 deadline remained in place.
The council called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to reduce the price of Premium Motor Spirit to N500 per litre. It proposed an intervention fund to address landing costs and support oil and gas operators as one way to achieve the reduction.
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The JNPSNC also urged the government to ensure that oil producers sell crude oil to the Dangote Refinery and modular refinery operators at appropriate terms. According to the council, this would encourage increased domestic refining and help reduce the cost of petroleum products.
The council said petrol prices currently range between N1,450 and N2,000 per litre, while some locations outside major communities and cities record prices as high as N2,500 per litre.
It described the rising cost of petrol as a major burden on Nigerian workers, their dependants and the wider population, saying the situation had made it increasingly difficult for Nigerians to maintain normal and dignified lives.
Labour Seeks Wage Award for Workers
The JNPSNC also asked the Federal Government to approve a wage award for Nigerian workers to cushion the impact of the harsh economic conditions affecting workers, their dependants and vulnerable Nigerians.
The council said the wage award would help public servants maintain their loyalty, commitment and productivity within the public service.
The labour body warned that failure by the Federal Government to address its demands by September 30 would trigger the three-day warning strike from October 2, 2026.
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