JNPSNC Calls Three-Day Warning Strike Over Economic Hardship
A three-day warning strike has been declared by public service workers operating under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), running from October 2 to October 4, 2026. The council attributed the action to economic and mental hardship that it said is worsening for workers and those who depend on them.
National and state leaders of the council were instructed to begin mobilising workers for the industrial action. The strike is to take effect from midnight on Friday, October 2, and conclude on Sunday, October 4.
A circular dated October 1, 2026, and signed by JNPSNC National Secretary Olowoyo Gbenga carried the directive. In it, he pressed the council's leadership to make sure the information reached workers nationwide.
The circular said the decision was taken after the Federal Government allegedly failed to address requests that had earlier been sent to President Bola Tinubu through a letter dated September 21, 2026.
According to the council, "Consequent upon the above, the strike shall start with effect from midnight of Friday, 2nd October, 2026, to Sunday, October 4th, 2026."
Public servants at federal, state and local government levels were also asked to join the strike. The council said the action was meant to draw attention to the difficulties confronting workers across the country.
It stated, "In the same vein, all public servants in the services of Federal, State and Local Governments are to join the warning strike because an injury to one is an injury to all, most especially, all workers, their dependants, vulnerable and hapless Nigerians are groaning terribly under the present economic hardship."
Describing conditions as increasingly difficult for workers, the council added, "The economic and mental hardships are becoming unbearable and frustrating."
Its leaders were urged to start mobilisation without delay, with the council declaring, "The time to act and mobilise workers for the three-day warning strike is now!!!"
The planned strike comes after the council made earlier demands on the Federal Government for steps to ease the impact of rising living costs, among them a cut in petrol prices, a wage award for workers and the opening of talks on a new national minimum wage before 2027.
The JNPSNC had reportedly asked the Federal Government to bring the pump price of petrol down to N500 per litre, approve an immediate wage award and set up a tripartite committee to negotiate a new national minimum wage.
Those demands arise from concerns over the rising cost of living and the falling purchasing power of Nigerian workers, following increases in the prices of essential goods, transportation and other household expenses.
In closing its circular, the council asked its members to circulate the strike notice and expressed confidence about the outcome of the action.
"Please, disseminate the information!!! Surely, there is victory for us!!!" the circular added.
As of the time the circular was issued, the council insisted the strike would go ahead as planned, with public servants across the three tiers of government expected to take part.
to like, bookmark, and comment.
Comments
Join the conversation:
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.