Public servants across Nigeria’s federal, state and local governments have commenced a three day warning strike over what their unions describe as worsening economic hardship and the failure of the government to address key demands affecting workers.
The industrial action began at midnight on Friday, October 2, and is scheduled to run until Sunday, October 4, 2026.
The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council directed workers across the three tiers of government to participate in the warning strike, while its national and state leadership were instructed to mobilise members for the action...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The council said the decision followed the government’s failure to adequately respond to demands previously presented to President Bola Tinubu concerning the rising cost of living and the financial pressure facing workers and their families.
Among the major demands is a reduction in the price of petrol to N500 per litre. The workers also want the Federal Government to approve an immediate wage award to cushion the impact of rising living costs.
Another major demand is the establishment of a tripartite committee to begin negotiations for a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027.
The unions argue that the purchasing power of workers has been significantly affected by increases in the cost of food, transportation, fuel and other essential goods.
They have also raised concerns about the wider impact of the economic situation on workers and their dependants, describing the pressure as increasingly difficult to cope with.
The warning strike involves public servants working within federal, state and local government institutions, including ministries, departments and agencies.
Several public sector unions are participating in the action, including 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.
Other unions under the council include workers in public corporations, technical and recreational services, agriculture, printing and publishing, as well as public service administrative and allied sectors.
The development could affect government offices and public services across the country during the three day period, depending on the level of compliance by workers in different locations.
The unions had earlier warned that failure by the Federal Government to address their concerns would result in the warning strike.
The Nigeria Labour Congress has also expressed support for the public sector unions’ position, with labour leaders linking the action to concerns over fuel prices, workers’ purchasing power and the need to begin discussions on a new minimum wage.
The three day action is being presented by the unions as a warning rather than an indefinite strike. However, the unions have indicated that further action could be considered if their concerns remain unresolved.
For now, federal, state and local government workers covered by the directive have been asked to remain away from their official duties from October 2 to October 4 as the unions press their demands for measures aimed at easing the economic pressure on Nigerian workers.
