Public Servants Give FG Fresh Ultimatum After Three-Day Warning Strike

Public servants have issued a fresh ultimatum to the Federal Government, warning that they may embark on a total strike if their demands remain unresolved.

The warning followed the end of a three-day nationwide warning strike by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) on Sunday.

The council said the action recorded about 65 per cent compliance across the country, with full participation reported in Akwa Ibom, Oyo, Osun, Kaduna, Sokoto and Gombe states.

It said other states recorded varying levels of compliance, adding that the industrial action had generated significant public attention.

National Secretary of the JNPSNC, Olowoyo Gbenga, said the warning strike was designed to compel the Federal Government to engage public servants on their concerns.

He said the response to the action should prompt the government to open negotiations before the council takes further steps.

“The three-day warning strike has provoked public discourse and the general public described the declaration of the warning strike as a popular decision taken by the national leadership of JNPSNC,” Gbenga said.

He noted that Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, had supported the action and urged the government to use the pause after the strike to engage the council.

“Consequent upon the outcome of the warning strike, it is advisable to the Federal Government to use the period of the lull in action to engage the national leadership of JNPSNC because the next strike action will be a total strike,” he warned.

Gbenga said the next phase could attract broader support from organised labour and other stakeholders.

He added that the council had begun preparations to mobilise public servants for the next stage of the struggle if the government failed to respond.

“Appropriate strategic meetings have commenced in earnest to ensure that public servants across the country are sensitised towards the next struggle ahead within the next few weeks,” he stated.

The council’s demands centre on the cost of living and the welfare of public servants. It wants the government to reduce fuel prices, review salaries and allowances, and establish a tripartite committee for the 2027 national minimum wage.

Gbenga said the council remained committed to the three demands and expected the Federal Government to respond before the dispute escalated.

“The demands of public servants remained unambiguous: the Federal Government should slash the astronomical fuel prices, review salaries and allowances to public servants and set up a tripartite committee for the 2027 New National Minimum Wage,” he said.

The JNPSNC also urged the government to take note of the level of public reaction generated by the warning strike.

“The Federal Government should take cognisance of the consciousness the three-day strike has attracted and be proactive to prevent spontaneous reactions from the public,” Gbenga added.

The council therefore called for immediate discussions with labour leaders, saying constructive engagement could prevent a total shutdown of public services in the coming weeks.