Nigerian public servants have issued a fresh warning to the Federal Government following the conclusion of their three-day nationwide warning strike, saying failure to address their demands could lead to a more extensive industrial action in the coming weeks.
The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) said the warning strike, which ended on Sunday, recorded about 65 per cent compliance nationwide. The council said full compliance was recorded in states including Akwa Ibom, Oyo, Osun, Kaduna, Sokoto and Gombe, while other states recorded varying levels of participation.
The National Secretary of the JNPSNC, Gbenga Olowoyo, said the strike was intended to draw the Federal Government’s attention to the worsening economic conditions facing public servants and other Nigerians. He urged the government to use the period following the warning strike to engage with labour leaders before the dispute escalates.
According to the council, its major demands remain the reduction of the high cost of petrol, a review of salaries and allowances for public servants, and the immediate establishment of a tripartite committee to commence negotiations for the new National Minimum Wage expected in 2027.
The workers had earlier demanded that the government take urgent steps to reduce petrol prices and provide measures to cushion the impact of rising living costs. They also want negotiations for the next minimum wage to begin early enough to avoid delays when the current wage arrangement becomes due for review.
Olowoyo warned that the next industrial action could be a total strike, with stronger participation and solidarity from other labour stakeholders if the government fails to engage the workers and address their concerns.
The JNPSNC said strategic meetings had already commenced to sensitise public servants across the country ahead of the next phase of the struggle. The council urged the Federal Government to act proactively, warning that failure to respond could trigger further industrial unrest.
The development follows the three-day warning strike that affected public services across the country from October 2 to October 4, 2026, after the government failed to meet the workers’ earlier demands.
