Public service workers under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council have commenced a three-day warning strike over worsening economic and mental hardship affecting workers and their dependants.

The industrial action began at midnight on Friday, October 2, 2026, and is scheduled to end on Sunday, October 4.

The council directed its national and state leaders to mobilise workers across the country following what it described as the Federal Government’s failure to address demands submitted to President Bola Tinubu on September 21.

The directive was contained in a circular dated October 1 and signed by the National Secretary of the JNPSNC, Olowoyo Gbenga.

The council called on public servants across the federal, state and local government services to participate in the warning strike, citing the impact of rising living costs on workers, their dependants and vulnerable Nigerians.

It said, “The economic and mental hardships are becoming unbearable and frustrating.”

The strike follows earlier demands by the council for measures to ease the pressure of rising living costs. These include reducing the pump price of petrol to N500 per litre, approving an immediate wage award for workers and beginning negotiations for a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027.

The council also called for the establishment of a tripartite committee to negotiate the proposed new minimum wage.

The demands come amid continued concerns over the rising prices of essential goods, transportation and other household expenses, which have affected workers’ purchasing power.

The JNPSNC urged its members to ensure the strike notice reaches workers nationwide and expressed confidence in the outcome of the industrial action.

As of the time of the report, the council maintained that the strike would proceed as scheduled.

Efforts by PUNCH to obtain a reaction from the Ministry of Labour were unsuccessful as of the time of filing the report.