Nigerian public servants under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) have reaffirmed their resolve to embark on a three-day warning strike starting Friday, October 2, following the expiration of their ultimatum to the Federal Government.
The coalition, which represents eight major public sector unions, is demanding urgent intervention to mitigate the severe economic hardships facing workers nationwide.
In a statement issued by JNPSNC National Secretary and Nigeria Civil Service Union General Secretary, Gbenga Olowoyo, the council stressed that its September 30 deadline remained sacrosanct.
The unions are pressing the government to slash the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to ₦500 per litre through targeted intervention funds and local crude supply agreements to the Dangote Refinery and modular refineries, citing current prices of ₦1,450 to ₦2,500 per litre as unsustainable.
Beyond fuel price reductions, the labour coalition is demanding the immediate approval of a comprehensive wage award to cushion prevailing economic shocks for public servants and vulnerable citizens alike.
The council argues that swift financial relief is crucial to maintaining productivity and safeguarding the livelihoods of workers and their dependents amid mounting inflationary pressures.
Furthermore, the JNPSNC has called for the urgent constitution of a tripartite committee to commence negotiations for a new national minimum wage of not less than ₦500,000, projected to take effect by 2027.
The unions emphasized that early establishment of the committee is vital to preempt administrative delays and ensure a seamless legislative transition when the current wage framework expires.
With the ultimatum lapsing, the council has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to directly address these grievances in his national Independence Day address.
The labour leadership warned that continued government silence or inaction will leave workers with no alternative but to proceed with the total three-day industrial action across the country.
