Nigerian federal workers have supported organised labour’s demand for an immediate reduction in the pump price of petrol to ₦500 per litre.
During a crucial meeting that lasted from 2 pm to 4 pm, federal workers unanimously agreed to support the call made by the Joint National Public Service Negotiation Council (JNPSNC). The meeting drew a large crowd, with workers from various ministries and departments showing up in large numbers to voice their grievances. They have given the government a strict deadline of September 30, 2026, to act on the matter. They warned that they are fully prepared to join a proposed three-day warning strike if their core concerns are ignored by the authorities.
The workers made their position clear in a formal communiqué released after the meeting. They stressed that any reduction in the price of petrol must also be directly reflected in the prices of kerosene, diesel, and cooking gas to provide real, tangible relief to struggling households across the country.
“Most unfortunately, we have not seen any serious commitment from the government to address labour’s demands,” the communiqué stated. “We are waiting and hoping that the October 1 Independence Day broadcast will address these concerns.”
Beyond the immediate issue of fuel prices, the gathering quickly expanded its focus to the broader crisis of workers’ welfare and the lingering effects of recent economic policies. The forum noted that the current economic climate has made it nearly impossible for civil servants to meet their basic family needs, turning the fuel price into a matter of survival rather than just a policy debate. The group expressed strong, unwavering support for labour’s demand for a living wage that matches the current cost of living.
The Federal Workers Forum, representing thousands of civil servants across the country, took a firm stand against what they described as the continued suppression of workers’ wages. They called this situation bad governance and a clear sign of irresponsibility on the part of the government.
They argued that the current economic hardship is a direct result of policy failures that have disproportionately punished the working class.
“Federal workers and the Nigerian populace have suffered enough. Living conditions have worsened daily since the removal of the petrol subsidy, which we strongly believe was a scam designed to extort the citizenry,” the group stated.
To cushion this severe impact, the forum demanded an immediate review of salaries for all federal workers. They proposed a new minimum salary of ₦300,000 and a maximum of ₦1.5 million for Level 17 officers.
Furthermore, the workers insisted that it is completely illogical for the government to discuss any new wage structure when the previously agreed ₦70,000 minimum wage, effective from July 2024, has not yet been fully implemented. They are now calling on the JNPSNC to demand the full payment of this minimum wage, including all consequential adjustment arrears and the 40 per cent peculiar allowance.
As the October 1 deadline approaches, the group has called on all Nigerians to express solidarity with organised labour to bring down the price of petrol, signaling that the patience of the public sector has finally reached its limit.
Promise Idoko is Junior Reporter working with moderncrux He covers global politics and international affairs. Based in Nigeria,
