Federal, state, and local government workers across Nigeria have commenced a three-day warning strike today, October 2, demanding for an urgent response from the government to bring relief to the economic crisis of the country.
The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) issued the strike directive after their demands went unanswered despite sending a letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on September 21. According to a circular signed by JNPSNC National Secretary Olowoyo Gbenga, the nationwide shutdown will run from Friday, October 2, through Sunday, October 4.
The union’s core demands include slashing petrol prices to N500 per litre, providing an immediate wage award to public servants, and kicking off negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), through its president Joe Ajaero, has fully backed the industrial action. The NLC stated that the high cost of fuel, now selling at N1,430 per litre or more in some cities are driving up food, rent, tuition, and transportation costs far beyond what ordinary workers can afford.
“The surge in transportation costs drives up the prices of food, school fees, rent, and nearly every necessity of life, while nominal wages remain stagnant,” the NLC stated.
The union urged the government to act on fuel costs and deliver promised tax reliefs to salvage the economic crisis.
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