The council, which comprises eight public sector unions, said the warning strike would follow the expiration of its ultimatum to the Federal Government.
The unions are demanding that the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, be reduced to N500 per litre, while also calling for an immediate wage award and the commencement of negotiations for a new National Minimum Wage expected to take effect in 2027.
Unions Mobilise Workers for Strike
The JNPSNC said it had mobilised public servants across the country to participate in the proposed three-day warning strike if the Federal Government fails to respond to the demands before the September 30 deadline.
The council had earlier written to President Bola Tinubu on September 21, outlining its demands and calling for urgent measures to ease the economic pressure facing workers.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, the council said the September 30 deadline remained unchanged.
The statement was signed by the National Secretary of the JNPSNC and General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Olowoyo Gbenga.
The council said the concerns of Nigerian workers could no longer be ignored, particularly amid rising petrol prices and the increasing cost of living.
JNPSNC Demands Petrol at N500 Per Litre
One of the council's major demands is for the Federal Government to reduce the price of petrol to N500 per litre.
The unions proposed that the government could introduce an intervention fund to address landing costs and support operators within the oil and gas sector.
They also called on the Federal Government to ensure that crude oil is sold to the Dangote Refinery and modular refinery operators at appropriate terms to support increased domestic refining.
According to the council, increased local refining could help reduce the cost of petroleum products.
The JNPSNC said the current petrol price, which it put at between N1,450 and N2,000 per litre, and as high as N2,500 in some locations, was placing significant financial pressure on workers and their dependants.
Workers Demand Wage Award
The public service unions are also asking the Federal Government to approve an immediate wage award for Nigerian workers.
The council said the proposed wage award would help cushion the impact of the prevailing economic conditions on workers, their families and other vulnerable Nigerians.
It argued that additional financial support would also help workers maintain their commitment and productivity within the public service.
Unions Call for New Minimum Wage Committee
Another major demand is the immediate establishment of a tripartite committee to begin negotiations for a new National Minimum Wage expected to become due in 2027.
The JNPSNC said early commencement of negotiations would help prevent administrative or procedural delays that could affect the implementation of a new wage structure.
The council said the committee should be constituted without further delay to allow discussions to begin ahead of the expiration of the current wage arrangement.
October 2 Strike Deadline
The council warned that failure by the Federal Government to address the issues by September 30, 2026, would leave public servants with no option but to commence a three-day warning strike from Friday, October 2.
The unions also said they expected President Tinubu to address the issues in his Independence Day broadcast on October 1.
According to the council, the President's address should provide clear responses to the concerns raised by Nigerian workers.
The JNPSNC warned that failure to address the demands could trigger industrial action involving public servants across the country.
Eight Unions Make Up JNPSNC
The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council comprises eight public sector unions:
Nigerian Civil Service Union (NCSU)
Medical and Health Workers Union (M&HWU)
Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN)
National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM)
Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Employees (AUPCTRE)
Nigeria Union of Public Service, Reportorial, Secretarial, Data Processors and Allied Workers (NUPSRAW)
National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers (NUPPPPROW)
National Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees (NUAEE)
The proposed industrial action is expected to depend on the Federal Government's response to the unions' demands before the September 30 deadline.
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