Nigerian Workers Begin 3-Day Warning Strike Over ₦500 Petrol Demand, Wage Award

By Emeka Henry Obi
October 2, 2026 | Money

ABUJA — Public-sector workers across Nigeria have commenced a three-day warning strike over demands for a reduction in petrol prices to ₦500 per litre, an immediate wage award and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage.

The industrial action, declared by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), began on Friday, October 2, following the expiration of the council’s September 30 deadline issued to the Federal Government.

The workers are seeking measures they say would help ease the financial pressure created by rising transportation costs, food prices and other living expenses affecting public-sector employees and their families.

Why Workers Are on Strike

At the centre of the dispute is the JNPSNC’s demand that the Federal Government reduce the pump price of petrol to ₦500 per litre.

The council has argued that lower petrol prices would help reduce transportation costs and provide some relief to workers facing increased household expenses.

The workers are also demanding an immediate wage award and the creation of a tripartite committee to begin negotiations on a new national minimum wage expected to take effect in 2027.

September 30 Deadline

The JNPSNC had written to President Bola Tinubu on September 21, informing the Federal Government that failure to address its demands by September 30 would lead to industrial action.

However, the workers proceeded with the warning strike after the deadline expired without the requested measures being announced.

The President’s October 1 Independence Day address also did not include an announcement on reducing petrol prices to ₦500 per litre, one of the major demands presented by the workers.

Public Services Could Be Affected

The JNPSNC directed workers across the federal, state and local government services to participate in the three-day warning strike.

The directive covers workers in ministries, departments and agencies, raising the possibility of disruptions to government operations and public services nationwide during the period of the action.

The unions say the strike is intended to pressure the government to introduce measures that would cushion workers from the effects of the current cost-of-living pressures.

The three-day action is scheduled to run from October 2 to October 4, 2026, unless developments between the government and the workers lead to a change in the situation.