Workers Issue Red Alert, Threaten Strike Over Soaring Fuel Prices

Nigerian workers have issued a fresh red alert to the federal government, threatening a three-day warning strike from October 2 if urgent measures are not taken to reduce petrol prices, introduce a wage award and commence negotiations for a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027.

The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), Trade Union Side, said its September 30 ultimatum to the federal government remains sacrosanct, warning that failure to address the workers’ demands could trigger industrial action across the country.

The council made its position known in a statement issued on Tuesday by its national secretary and general secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga.

The workers’ warning comes amidst rising petrol prices, which the council said have placed an unbearable burden on workers, their dependants and millions of vulnerable Nigerians.

According to the council, petrol currently sells for about N1,450 per litre in some locations, while prices have reportedly risen to between N2,000 and N2,500 in areas outside major cities and communities.

The JNPSNC said the federal government must urgently bring the price of petrol down to N500 per litre, arguing that such a reduction would help restore the purchasing power of workers and ease the wider cost-of-living crisis.

It proposed an intervention fund to address landing costs for oil and gas operators, while also calling on the government to ensure that crude oil is sold to Dangote Refinery and modular refinery operators at appropriate terms to support lower domestic petrol prices.

He said, “Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council may issue red alert to public servants across the country on the letter presented to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, if issues raised in the letter are not attended to.

The ultimatum (September 30th, 2026) served the federal government to address issues raised in the letter remains sacrosanct.”

The council also demanded an immediate wage award for Nigerian workers to cushion the impact of the economic hardship.

It also called for the establishment of a tripartite committee to begin negotiations for the new national minimum wage expected to take effect in 2027.
The council said early commencement of the process was necessary to prevent delays between the expiration or review of the existing wage regime, legislative consideration and eventual implementation of a new minimum wage.

LEADERSHIP reported that the latest ultimatum follows growing pressure over the worsening cost of living and the erosion of workers’ purchasing power following successive increases in the price of petrol.

The JNPSNC said the federal government had until September 30 to act on the demands presented to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It warned that the deadline would not be extended and that workers would proceed with industrial action if the government failed to respond satisfactorily.

The council also further placed the President’s forthcoming Independence Day address under scrutiny, insisting that the concerns of workers must feature prominently in the speech.

It warned that failure to address the issues could provoke the anger of workers and their dependants, as well as other Nigerians struggling with the rising cost of living.

The statement reads in parts, “The current price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) being sold at N1450, N2000 and N2500 in many places outside major communities and cities are unacceptable because the survival of Nigerian workers, their dependants and general populace are now hanging on the balance of survival.

The federal government should give wage award to Nigerian workers to cushion the effect of harsh economic conditions as being experienced by workers, their dependants, hapless and vulnerable Nigerians.

Failure on the part of the federal government to do the needful on or before September 30th 2026, the Nigerian workers will not hesitate to go on 3 day warning strike to press home their demands with effect from Friday 2nd October, 2026.”