Nigerian civil servants demand ₦500 petrol price and wage increases

The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) Trade Union Side has issued a formal appeal to President Bola Tinubu to address escalating economic hardships. In a letter sent to the State House in Abuja, the council demanded that the Federal Government stabilize the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at ₦500 per litre, noting that prices have reached ₦1,430 per litre in some areas.

In addition to fuel price stabilization, the workers are calling for an immediate wage award and a comprehensive review of salaries and allowances across the public service. The JNPSNC also requested the immediate establishment of a committee to negotiate a new national minimum wage in preparation for a proposed implementation in January 2027. The council proposed a monthly minimum salary of ₦500,000 for Grade Level 01, Step 1.

The union criticized current government interventions, such as food palliatives, describing them as unsustainable and inaccessible to the majority of the population. They warned that the prevailing economic pressure is generating tension and urged the government to respond to these demands by September 30, 2026.