By Mary Izuaka

 

Public servants under the aegis of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) have threatened to begin a three-day warning strike on Friday if the federal government fails to cut the price of petrol to N500 per litre and approve a new wage award for workers.

The council disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday by its National Secretary, Gbenga Olowoyo, who is also the General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU).

Mr Olowoyo said the 30 September ultimatum earlier issued to the government to address the rising cost of petrol and commence negotiations for a new national minimum wage remains sacrosanct.

He said the council has mobilised workers to embark on industrial action should President Bola Tinubu fail to announce a drastic cut in petrol price and a new wage in his Independence Day broadcast.

“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,” the statement said.

It said 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 dependents, and vulnerable Nigerians.

“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.

“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,” the statement said.

The council said it had, on 21 September, written to Mr Tinubu, demanding, among others, commencement of negotiations for a minimum wage of not less than N500,000 from 2027.

It, however, expressed displeasure that no visible action had been taken more than a week after the letter was submitted.

Mr Olowoyo said petrol prices could be reduced through 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 on appropriate terms to facilitate increased domestic refining and help bring down the price of petroleum products,” he said.

He argued that the current price of petrol, ranging from N1,450 to N2,000 and as high as N2,500 per litre in some locations outside major towns and cities, is unacceptable to Nigerian workers.

“The council maintains that the economic hardship occasioned by the high cost of fuel is placing the survival of Nigerian workers, their dependents and the general populace under severe pressure, making it increasingly difficult for Nigerians to live normal and dignified lives,” he added.

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He said urgent action on the demands will enable public servants to consolidate their loyalty, commitment and productivity within the public service.

The workers are also demanding the immediate constitution of a tripartite committee to negotiate a new minimum wage.

“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,” he added.

The JNPSNC comprises eight public sector unions, including the NCSU, Medical and Health Workers Union, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), 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.