The industrial action was declared by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, JNPSNC, which is the umbrella body for all public service unions in the country.
The Council said all federal, state and local government workers, including staff of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, have been directed to stay away from work from Friday, October 2 to Sunday, October 4, 2026.
The unions said they are angry that President Tinubu, in his October 1st Independence Day broadcast yesterday, failed to address their key demand which is to slash fuel price to N500 per litre.
Members of the JNPSNC include NCSU, Medical and Health Workers Union, ASCSN, NANNM, AUPCTRE, NUPSRAW, NUPPPPROW and NUAEE.
In a letter dated September 21, 2026 to President Tinubu, the unions had demanded:
- Reduction of petrol price from the current N1,400 - N2,000 per litre to N500 per litre
- Immediate wage award to cushion hardship
- Setting up of Tripartite Committee to negotiate new minimum wage of not less than N500,000 expected in 2027
They had given a deadline of September 30 for the demands to be addressed during the Independence broadcast, failing which they would embark on strike.
In a circular signed by the National Secretary of JNPSNC, Olowoyo Gbenga, and addressed to national presidents, general secretaries, state chairmen and secretaries of affiliate unions, the council declared:
"Please recall the position of the National leadership of JNPSNC that if Mr President refuses to address our requests, the three-day warning strike shall commence immediately. Consequent upon the above, the strike shall start with effect from midnight of Friday, October 2, 2026, to Sunday, October 4, 2026."
The circular added that all public servants must join because "an injury to one is an injury to all," noting that workers and Nigerians are groaning under economic and mental hardship.
Speaking to Vanguard, one of the leaders of the council expressed disappointment:
"We are deeply disappointed that the President’s Independence address failed to address our legitimate demands. While he acknowledged the severe suffering inflicted on citizens by government policies, the speech offered no concrete relief."
The unions argued that fuel price ranging from N1,450 to N2,500 in some remote areas is unacceptable and has made life unbearable for workers and their dependants.
They also want government to provide intervention fund to address landing cost, support oil operators, and ensure sale of crude to Dangote Refinery and modular refineries at affordable terms to boost local refining.
Meanwhile, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, has also warned against selective implementation of the 2026 FGN/SSANU Agreement.
Speaking at the 56th NEC meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, said while implementation has started in some universities, many others are yet to comply due to funding and administrative challenges.
He said the union "will not accept unnecessary delays, selective implementation, marginalisation or any attempt to diminish the provisions of the Agreement."
He directed branches to monitor implementation and report cases of non-compliance, stressing that SSANU remains committed to dialogue but will take lawful steps if provoked.
