Workers Threaten Friday Strike, Demand N500 Petrol Price

Public servants under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) have threatened to begin a three-day warning strike on Friday if the Federal Government fails to reduce petrol prices to N500 per litre and approve a wage award.

The council also wants the government to commence negotiations for a new national minimum wage of at least N500,000 from 2027.

JNPSNC National Secretary and General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), Gbenga Olowoyo, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

Olowoyo said the council’s September 30 deadline for the government to act on its demands remained unchanged.

He said workers had been mobilised for the strike if President Bola Tinubu failed to address the issues in his Independence Day address.

The council wants the government to take urgent steps to bring down the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to N500 per litre.

It is also demanding a wage award to cushion the impact of rising living costs on workers, their dependants and other vulnerable Nigerians.

Olowoyo said the council had communicated its demands to the President in a September 21 letter but had yet to see any concrete action.

He warned that failure to address the issues by September 30 would leave the workers with no option but to begin the three-day warning strike from October 2.

Beyond the immediate demands, the council is calling for the establishment of a tripartite committee to begin negotiations on the new national minimum wage.

Olowoyo said early constitution of the committee would help prevent administrative delays that could affect the implementation of a new wage after negotiations and legislative approval.

The workers also proposed measures they believe could help lower petrol prices.

Olowoyo called for an intervention fund to address the landing cost of petrol and support oil and gas operators.

He also urged the Federal Government to make crude oil available to the Dangote Refinery and modular refinery operators on appropriate terms.

According to him, increased domestic refining would help reduce the cost of petroleum products and ease the burden on consumers.

The council described the current petrol price as unacceptable, noting that PMS sells for between N1,450 and N2,000 per litre in many areas.

It added that the price can rise to N2,500 per litre in some locations outside major communities and cities.

Olowoyo said the high cost of fuel had placed severe pressure on workers and their families.

He said the resulting economic hardship was making it increasingly difficult for Nigerians to maintain decent living standards.

The JNPSNC secretary added that prompt action on the demands would help workers sustain their loyalty, commitment and productivity in the public service.

The council comprises eight public sector unions, including the NCSU, Medical and Health Workers Union and Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN).

Other affiliates include the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Employees, and Nigeria Union of Public Service, Reportorial, Secretarial, Data Processors and Allied Workers.

The National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers and National Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees also belong to the council.