The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has suspended its planned strike action following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the management of the Dangote Refinery.

The agreement, dated September 8, was signed by key representatives including Sayyu Dantata, Managing Director of Dangote Group; Ogbugo Ukoha, Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA); Benson Upah, Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC); and Nuhu Toro, General Secretary of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

According to the MoU, both parties affirmed that workers have the right to unionise under Nigerian labour laws. The Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals management agreed to allow employees who are willing to join unions to do so, with the process expected to begin immediately and conclude within two weeks (September 9–22, 2025).

The agreement also specifies that no parallel unions will be established, and no worker will face victimisation as a result of the strike notice or their participation in union activities. Both sides also pledged to brief the Minister of Labour a week after the process concludes.

“Based on the MoU, NUPENG agreed to suspend the industrial action with immediate effect,” the union announced.

NUPENG had earlier declared plans to begin a nationwide strike on September 8 in protest against alleged anti-union practices at the Dangote Refinery.

The Federal Government has published the official list of approved subjects for Nigeria’s newly revised Basic and Senior Secondary Education Curriculum, cautioning schools and stakeholders to ignore fake versions in circulation.

In a press release dated September 8, 2025, the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), led by Executive Secretary Prof. Salisu Shehu, confirmed that the reforms would take effect at the start of each three-year cycle (Primary 1, Primary 4, JSS1, and SS1).

NERDC stressed that the reforms are part of the National Education Sector Reform Initiatives (NESRI), designed to reduce curriculum overload, enhance learning outcomes, and equip students with relevant skills.

Nationwide sensitisation and teacher training are expected to begin immediately for smooth implementation.

Approved Subjects

Primary 1–3 (9–10 subjects)

• English Studies
• Mathematics
• One Nigerian Language
• Basic Science
• Physical & Health Education
• CRS/IS
• Nigerian History
• Social & Citizenship Studies
• Cultural & Creative Arts
• Arabic (Optional)

Primary 4–6 (11–13 subjects)

• English Studies
• Mathematics
• One Nigerian Language
• Basic Science & Technology
• Physical & Health Education
• Basic Digital Literacy
• CRS/IS
• Nigerian History
• Social & Citizenship Studies
• Cultural & Creative Arts
• Pre-vocational Studies
• French (Optional)
• Arabic (Optional)

Junior Secondary (JSS 1–3, 12–14 subjects)

• English Studies
• Mathematics
• One Nigerian Language
• Intermediate Science
• Physical & Health Education
• Digital Technologies
• CRS/IS
• Nigerian History
• Social & Citizenship Studies
• Cultural & Creative Arts
• Business Studies
• One Trade Subject (e.g., Solar Installation, Fashion Design, Livestock Farming, GSM Repairs, etc.)
• French/Arabic (Optional)

Senior Secondary (Core + Specialisations)

• Compulsory (5): English, Mathematics, One Trade Subject, Citizenship & Heritage Studies, Digital Technologies.
• Science Options: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Agriculture, Further Mathematics, Foods & Nutrition, Physical/Health Education, Geography, Technical Drawing.
• Humanities: Nigerian History, Government, CRS, IS, One Nigerian Language, French, Arabic, Visual Arts, Music, Literature, Home Management, Catering Craft.
• Business: Accounting, Commerce, Marketing, Economics.
• Trade Subjects: Same as JSS but with broader application.

Some parents and teachers criticised the FG for not involving them in the review process, warning that schools may be unprepared for immediate implementation.

The FG, however, insisted that the reforms—covering basic, secondary, and technical education—will commence with the 2025/2026 academic session.

Nepal’s Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli, has resigned following days of violent anti-government protests that have left at least 21 people dead.

Oli, 73, submitted his resignation to the president on Tuesday, describing the move as necessary to “pave the way for a political solution and resolution of the crisis.”

The Himalayan nation has been in turmoil since Monday after the government attempted to impose a ban on social media platforms. Although the order was quickly reversed, widespread anger over corruption, political nepotism, and economic stagnation triggered nationwide demonstrations.

The protests escalated into violence as crowds attacked and vandalised the homes of top political figures, including Oli’s residence in Balakot, Bhaktapur. The homes of former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and Maoist Centre leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal also came under attack.

Videos circulating online showed parts of Oli’s residence in flames, while petrol bombs were reportedly thrown at Dahal’s home. Party headquarters, government buildings, and Singha Durbar—the country’s central administrative complex—were also targeted.

Authorities confirmed that 19 people were killed on Monday when security forces opened fire on protesters. Amnesty International accused police of using live ammunition. On Tuesday, Mohan Regmi, head of the Civil Service Hospital, said two more people had died, bringing the death toll to 21, while at least 90 others were being treated for injuries.

The unrest, largely driven by young people, spread across Kathmandu and other major cities. Domestic flights at Tribhuvan International Airport in the capital were disrupted due to security concerns, the aviation authority said.

Several government officials also resigned in protest over the handling of the crisis. These include Pradeep Yadav, minister for water supply; Ram Nath Adhikari, minister for agriculture and livestock; and Ramesh Lekhak, the home minister.

Oli, who began his fourth term as prime minister in July 2024 under a coalition between his Communist Party and the Nepali Congress, had faced mounting public frustration over corruption scandals, political instability, and weak economic growth.

Despite his resignation, protests continued on Tuesday as demonstrators pressed for sweeping reforms and an end to what they described as “systemic impunity” among Nepal’s political elite.