The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) has reaffirmed its September 30, 2026, deadline to the Federal Government, threatening to paralyze public institutions across Nigeria with a three-day warning strike. The industrial action is scheduled to commence on Friday, October 2, 2026, if the government fails to address the severe economic strain on workers.

The coalition of eight public sector unions is demanding an immediate reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to N500 per litre. Additionally, the council is pressing for the swift announcement of a transitional wage award and the immediate commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage.

In a powerful statement released on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, the JNPSNC National Secretary, Gbenga Olowoyo, declared that the September 30 ultimatum remains absolute. The council emphasized that the impending Independence Day address by President Bola Tinubu must directly provide a roadmap to resolve these critical issues to avert a total shutdown.

Organized labor noted that current petrol prices ranging between N1,450 and N2,000 per litre—and soaring up to N2,500 in remote communities—have crippled the purchasing power of the average citizen. The unions argued that the high cost of fuel has placed the survival of workers and their dependents under unbearable pressure, making dignified living impossible.

To achieve the targeted N500 per litre pump price, the JNPSNC urged the Federal Government to establish an emergency intervention fund to address landing costs for oil operators. They also emphasized the need to supply crude oil to the Dangote Refinery and local modular refineries at favorable terms to drive down prices through domestic production.

Furthermore, the workers are demanding the immediate setup of a tripartite committee to layout the framework for the 2027 national minimum wage. The council previously petitioned President Tinubu on September 21, proposing that the baseline salary structure be negotiated at no less than N500,000 to match current inflationary trends.

The statement clarified that initiating early negotiations is vital to eliminating administrative bottlenecks before the bill reaches the National Assembly. The unions believe that proactive adjustments to workers` compensation will directly restore productivity and structural loyalty across the public service ecosystem.

As the deadline expires today, millions of public servants under key bodies—including civil service unions, medical workers, and national nurses—remain fully mobilized. The JNPSNC warned that the government’s failure to act will leave workers with no alternative but to withdraw their services nationwide by Friday morning.