Public sector workers have threatened to embark on a three-day warning strike from Friday if the Federal Government fails to address their demands over the rising cost of living.

The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) said its September 30 deadline for the government to act on the demands remains in effect.

The council is demanding a reduction of petrol prices to N500 per litre, approval of a wage award for workers and the immediate commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage of at least N500,000 from 2027.

In a statement, JNPSNC national secretary, Gbenga Olowoyo, said workers had been mobilised for the planned industrial action if the government failed to respond to the demands.

“The three critical issues requiring urgent attention are as follows: reduction of fuel price to N500 per litre. The Federal Government should take urgent steps to bring down the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to N500 per litre,” the statement reads.

“The Federal Government should urgently approve a wage award for Nigerian workers to cushion the effects of the prevailing harsh economic conditions being experienced by workers, their dependants, and vulnerable Nigerians.

“It is imperative to state clearly that the Independence Day address of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should adequately address these critical issues.

“Consequently, the council states that failure by the Federal Government to take the necessary steps to address these issues on or before 30th September 2026 will leave Nigerian workers with no option but to commence a three-day warning strike, with effect from Friday, 2nd October 2026, to press home their demands.”

Olowoyo said the council had written to President Bola Tinubu on September 21, but expressed displeasure that no visible action had been taken on the demands.

The council said the government could reduce petrol prices by providing an intervention fund to address landing costs and supporting oil and gas operators.

“It is equally important for the Federal Government to ensure the sale of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery and operators of modular refineries at appropriate terms to facilitate increased domestic refining and help bring down the price of petroleum products,” Olowoyo said.

The workers also called for the urgent establishment of a tripartite committee to negotiate a new national minimum wage.

“The Nigerian workers’ demand for the immediate constitution of the committee is informed by the need to avoid any administrative or procedural delay that could affect the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage once it is eventually negotiated and passed into law by the National Assembly,” he added.

The JNPSNC comprises eight public sector unions, including the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Medical and Health Workers Union, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria and National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives.