Civil servants under the Trade Union Side of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the economic hardship faced by workers and their dependents. In a letter to the President, they demanded that the Federal Government stabilize petrol prices at N500 per litre and introduce an immediate Wage Award. The council also called for a review of salaries and allowances across the public service.
The workers linked the recent increase in petrol prices to about N1,430 per litre to the removal of petrol subsidy three years ago. They argued that higher fuel costs have contributed to increases in food, transportation, and other essential goods and services prices. The JNPSNC rejected food palliatives as a sustainable response to the crisis, instead advocating for measures with broader economic impact.
The council proposed establishing a fuel intervention fund to stabilize petrol prices and bring the pump price down to N500 per litre. They also endorsed proposals by Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero, including selling crude oil in naira to local refineries and expanding national petroleum storage capacity. These measures could support domestic refining and provide greater protection against fluctuations in international oil prices.
On remuneration, the JNPSNC called for an immediate Wage Award covering federal, state, and local government workers, alongside an upward review of salaries and allowances. The council proposed a minimum salary of N500,000 per month for an officer on Grade Level 1, Step 1, under its proposed 2027 salary structure. They also advocated for harmonized wages across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The council urged the President to direct the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) to begin discussions with the NLC, Trade Union Congress (TUC), JNPSNC, and other stakeholders on the proposed Wage Award and salary review. They also urged the Federal Government to constitute a committee for negotiating a new minimum wage to avoid delays ahead of the proposed January 2027 implementation.
The workers warned that the worsening cost-of-living crisis is creating tension among workers and Nigerians, giving the Federal Government until September 30, 2026, to respond to their demands. The NLC has publicly backed the workers' calls for a Wage Award and lower petrol prices, describing the demands as urgent responses to rising living costs.
The JNPSNC's demands are expected to be addressed by the President in his forthcoming Independence Day broadcast. The council's proposals aim to mitigate the economic hardship faced by workers and their dependents, and the government is yet to respond to their demands.
Key points
- Workers demand a reduction in fuel price to N500 per litre.
- A proposed minimum salary of N500,000 per month for public servants.
- The government has been given a deadline of September 30, 2026, to respond to the workers' demands.
