The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) has warned that public servants may embark on a total strike in the coming weeks if the Federal Government fails to address their demands over petrol prices, wages and the 2027 minimum wage.
The warning followed the conclusion of the council’s three-day warning strike, which was organised over declining purchasing power, rising fuel costs and delays in commencing negotiations for a new national minimum wage expected in 2027.
JNPSNC National Secretary, Gbenga Olowoyo, said the council had begun strategic meetings to sensitise public servants nationwide ahead of what he described as the “next struggle” should the government fail to respond.
Olowoyo estimated compliance with the warning strike at about 65 per cent nationwide, noting that private-sector workers were excluded. He said Akwa Ibom, Oyo, Osun, Kaduna, Sokoto and Gombe recorded full compliance, while participation varied across other states.
The council is demanding a reduction and stabilisation of petrol prices, an upward review of salaries and allowances, and the immediate constitution of a tripartite committee to negotiate the 2027 national minimum wage.
Meanwhile, some Federal Government workers have raised concerns over Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax deductions, saying the deductions have further weakened their purchasing power amid rising living costs.
A civil servant, Erica Eniola, called for a review of the income tax regime, arguing that deductions were placing additional pressure on workers.
“Imagine a Level 15 officer with a monthly salary of less than N400,000 paying almost N60,000 tax. It is alarming.
“Despite huge taxes deducted from salaries on a monthly basis, the government workers still pay Value Added Tax (VAT), and other forms of taxes on certain goods and services, making it multiple taxation,” Emilia lamented.
The concerns come as the Federal Government begins a six-week review of Nigeria’s tax reforms to identify implementation gaps, ambiguities and unintended consequences.
The review will examine issues including VAT thresholds, withholding tax, capital gains treatment and multiple taxation, with its recommendations expected to feed into the Finance Bill 2027.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed this in Abuja while inaugurating the Technical Subcommittee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.
Oyedele said the implementation of the new tax laws had revealed areas requiring clarification and further refinement, noting that the effectiveness of the reforms would ultimately be determined by their impact on businesses, investors and citizens.
Meanwhile, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero alleged that repeated attempts by the union to engage the Federal Government over workers’ concerns had failed.
Speaking on Mic On Podcast, Ajaero said the NLC wrote to President Bola Tinubu between May and December 2025 without receiving a response, leading the union to announce a nationwide protest.
“For the past two to three years, it’s not the government that is engaging. This government doesn’t engage,” he said.
Ajaero added that some governors later intervened and held discussions with the NLC, but said several issues remained unresolved.
The labour union had earlier threatened industrial action if the government failed to reduce petrol prices to N500 per litre and approve a new wage award for workers.
