Workers Shun Warning Strike In Many States

By IGHO OYOYO, Abuja, JOSHUA DADA, Osogbo, Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin , KALU EZIYI, Umuahia,  DAMILOLA ORIGBEMISUYI, Akure , RICHARD NDOMA Calabar , AZA MSUE, Makurdi ,

The three-day warning strike declared by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) recorded limited compliance in parts of the Federal Capital Territory and several states across the country yesterday, as civil servants in several government offices reported for work and carried out their normal duties.

LEADERSHIP correspondents who visited selected government offices in Abuja and other states to monitor compliance with the strike order observed workers at their duty posts.

In Abuja, workers  at the Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Education, FCT Administration Secretariat and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) reported for duties.

The workers were seen attending to files, moving between offices and carrying out routine administrative assignments, despite the directive by the JNPSNC for public servants to withdraw their services for three days.

RELATED: We’re Not Yet Aware Of Nationwide Warning Strike – Workers

The warning strike which commenced yesterday, followed the failure of the federal government to meet demands by the public service unions over the worsening economic situation and other labour-related issues.

At the Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja, Mr Roland Agbo, a civil servant, said that he was unaware that the strike had commenced.

“I came to work this morning as I normally do. I was not aware that there was a strike. Nobody informed me that workers were expected to stay away from the office,” he said.

He was among several workers seen at their duty posts during the visit.

At the Federal Ministry of Education, a civil servant who prefered anonymity said she only became aware of the strike after being approached by the correspondent.

“I have heard about the issue of a possible strike, but I did not know that it had started today. I came to work because I have official duties to perform,” she said.

She added that she had not received any instruction from her immediate office directing her to stay away from work.

At the FCTA Secretariat, Haruna Lawal said there appeared to be a communication gap between the union leadership and some workers.

“I was not aware that today was the commencement of the strike. I reported for work as usual because there was no directive from my office telling me not to come,” he said.

Similarly, at the FCDA, Mrs Comfort Chukwu  said she was surprised when informed that the JNPSNC had commenced its warning strike.

“I came to the office normally this morning and have been attending to my responsibilities. I did not receive any information asking me to stay away from work,” she said.

It was observed that the strike did not completely shut down the government offices visited, although the level of compliance could vary from one ministry, department or agency to another.

Some offices had noticeable human activity, while workers were seen attending to official matters.

The development came despite the JNPSNC’s directive that public servants should fully comply with the warning strike.

The council had directed its members to withdraw their services for three days following the federal government’s failure to resolve issues contained in its demands.

The workers are demanding measures to address the impact of rising living costs, including a reduction in the price of petrol, payment of a wage award and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage.

The council had also warned that failure by the federal government to address the demands by its deadline would trigger industrial action.

Workers in the public service of Osun State on Friday reported for duty at their duty posts contrary to the directive of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) that they should embark on nationwide warning strike action.

Workers who trooped out to their various offices were seen at the state secretariat, Abere carrying out their normal duties unhindered.

Also, workers at the state High Court at Okefia Osogbo, health institutions and schools were equally at their offices and schools carrying out their daily duties while courts were also opened for litigations.

Also, workers in the federal service including the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Ogo Oluwa, Osogbo, News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN), National Orientation Agency, (NOA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) all located in Abere, Osogbo reported for duty.

Attempts to get reaction from the Nigeria Labour Congress, Osun State chapter chairman, Comrade Christopher Arapasopo failed as he could not be reached on his mobile phone.

Public servants in Kwara State  yesterday reported for duties at their various offices

All public schools were also opened for normal teaching and learning.

When LEADERSHIP Weekend visited the state secretariat along Lajorin road, GRA, Ilorin, workers were seeing in their offices without any sign of agitation.

The state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC), Comrade Murtala Olayinka confirmed that the workers in the state were not on strike.

“ We have not received any directive to go on strike. So, our members have reported at their various establishment to carry out their duties,” Olayinka said.

Also speaking on the issue, the NLC state secretary, Comrade Isaiah Eigege stressed the need for clarity and proper communication on the latest directive affecting organised labour.

He said workers should be guided by decisions reached through the appropriate labour structures.

Eigege said  that the national leadership of the union had yet to make an official comment on the issue of warning strike.

He stressed the importance of relying on the established structures of organised labour before workers in the state take any action based on such directives.

He urged workers and members of the public to await official communication from the leadership of the NLC rather than relying on information circulated through unofficial channels.

‎There was no indication of the action across Abia State as workers were seen at the state and local government secretariats, government offices, health facilities, and banks among others conducting their duties.

‎The chairmen of the state chapters of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Ihechi Eneogwe, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Okoro Ogbonna confirmed this to LEADERSHIP Weekend in Umuahia, the state capital.

‎They said they were yet to receive directive from their respective national headquarters on the matter just as they expressed concern and supported the reason for the action.

‎They further informed that since it is a warning strike that is scheduled from midnight Friday 2 October through Sunday 4th October, the picture would be clearer by Monday.

 Offices Shut As Some Ministries Remain Open In Ondo

‎‎Federal Government offices were largely shut in Ondo State on Friday as civil servants commenced a three-day warning strike, while some state ministries remained open.

‎‎The strike followed a directive by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) for federal, state and local government workers to withdraw their services over unmet demands.

‎A visit by LEADERSHIP to the Federal Government Secretariat in Akure showed that most offices were closed, although a few workers were seen within the premises.

‎‎Some of the workers said they had only come to attend to personal matters and were not carrying out official duties.

‎‎A similar situation was observed at the Ondo State Civil Service Commission, where most offices were also shut. A few workers were present but declined to attend to members of the public seeking official services.

‎‎However, some state ministries were open, with workers seen at the Ministries of Culture and Tourism, Information and Orientation, Agriculture, among others. It could not be established whether the workers at the ministries were performing official duties or had only come to their offices for personal matters.

‎‎Schools visited in parts of Akure were also open, with students seen in their classrooms despite the ongoing strike.

‎‎Reacting to the development, the Chairman of the Ondo State Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), Comrade Oluwasegun Ajiboye, said the level of compliance with the strike in the state stood at 50 per cent.

‎‎Ajiboye, who also doubles as the state chairman of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), said the council had constituted a committee to monitor compliance across the state.

‎‎He said “I can say there is 50 per cent compliance. We have a committee that is going around to monitor compliance with the strike, and the report reaching us is that there is 50 per cent compliance.”

‎‎“Our demands is for the Federal Government to reduce the price of fuel, because the cost of living and the state of the economy in the country are becoming very difficult. Our advice is for the government to take decisive steps toward reducing fuel prices and increasing the minimum wage.”

Organised Labour in Cross River State has declared a three-day warning strike starting from midnight on Friday, October 2, 2026.

The streets of Çàlabar are still calm as of the time of filing this report, there was nothing like demonstration along the streets. Workers who attended work in their various offices are warming up to join the three day strike as directed by the chairman of organized labour in Cross River State.

The strike, which will run from Friday through Sunday, was announced by the Chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), Comrade Raymond Akana.

Akana said the industrial action became necessary following the Federal Government’s failure to address the hardship facing Nigerian workers.

He said workers in Cross River and across the country had expected President Bola Tinubu to use his Independence Day broadcast to announce measures to cushion the effects of fuel price increment and the economic hardship.

The chairman of Benue State Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNC) 1 and 2, Engr. Aloysius Umaja, has said it members have complied with the three-day warning strike which began today across the country.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP, Umaja said although the circular arrived Benue late but there was compliance.

He said,  “It is national directive and we have sent circulars to all our members for compliance. The directive came yesterday and we got the formal letter in the evening. Are you getting it? And we have circulated the circular but you know that sometimes because of the late arrival of that directives, I think there is a level of compliance and from my analysis, some persons didn’t get the information on time and you know we are in a digital world”

Umaja added, “So that is it. But as far as the leadership is concerned, there is compliance. The three days warning strike will end on Sunday and the national leadership will decide the next line of action” he said.