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.

The National Assembly has stopped Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi Central, from resuming her legislative duties, insisting that her suspension remains a subject of litigation.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a letter dated August 28, 2025, had informed the Clerk to the National Assembly of her intention to return on September 4, marking what she described as the end of her six-month suspension. She argued that a Federal High Court ruling in July had declared her suspension “excessive and unconstitutional” and ordered her recall.

“I write to formally notify you of my decision to resume legislative duties upon the expiration of the suspension period,” she said, stressing that the ruling entitled her to resume full responsibilities without prejudice to the ongoing appeal at the Court of Appeal.

She also demanded immediate access to her office to enable her review pending legislative business, catch up on committee assignments, attend to constituency matters, and prepare for plenary sessions.

However, in a reply dated September 4, Acting Clerk of the National Assembly, Yahaya Danzaria, rejected her request. Danzaria stated that the senator’s suspension, which took effect on March 6, was still under judicial consideration at the appellate court.

“The matter remains sub judice, and until the judicial process is concluded and the Senate formally reviews the suspension in the light of the court’s pronouncement, no administrative action can be taken by this office to facilitate your resumption,” Danzaria wrote.

He added that Akpoti-Uduaghan would be duly informed once the Senate reaches a decision.

The senator was suspended on March 6 for alleged gross misconduct following an altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements.

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Monday halted fuel loading operations at depots across the country, intensifying its dispute with the Dangote Petroleum Refinery over alleged restrictions on workers’ unionisation.

The move came as marathon talks convened by the federal government to resolve the standoff dragged late into the night without an agreement. The reconciliation meeting, hosted by the Ministry of Labour in Abuja, brought together NUPENG executives, representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, and officials of Dangote Group and MRS Petroleum.

The session, co-chaired by Labour Minister Muhammed Dingyadi and Minister of State Nkeiru Onyejeocha, began hours behind schedule due to the late arrival of union leaders. Although a draft memorandum of understanding was presented for adoption, sources said disagreements over key resolutions stalled progress as of 10:15 pm.

Meanwhile, NUPENG enforced full compliance with its strike directive. Petroleum tanker drivers parked their trucks at depots in Lagos, Warri, and other locations, while filling stations in Sokoto and several states were shut. Eyewitnesses reported barricades on major roads, raising fears of looming fuel scarcity.

NUPENG President Williams Akporeha confirmed the action was nationwide, saying members had rejected alleged attempts by Dangote to bar newly recruited tanker drivers from joining the union. Some union members also accused Dangote and MRS of moves to replace them with fresh recruits.

The strike disrupted operations at facilities including the Aradel refinery in Port Harcourt and the Kwale Hydrocarbon plant in Delta State. Depots belonging to companies such as RainOil, Shell+, First Royal, and Matrix also shut down.

In Sokoto, residents expressed concern over rising transport fares after stations were locked. “If this continues, transport fares will go up, and it will affect everybody,” a tricycle operator told reporters.

The crisis has drawn solidarity from other industry unions. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) warned it could shut refinery operations if workers’ union rights were not recognised. “All diplomatic efforts have failed,” said General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa, stressing that unionisation is a fundamental labour right.

The Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA), the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) also threatened to withdraw services if no resolution is reached.

NOGASA President Bennett Korie directed members supplying fuel to telecoms, hotels, and construction firms to halt deliveries from Tuesday. PETROAN President Billy Gillis-Harry also instructed members to suspend sales if the strike persists.

However, the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) called for calm. Its Executive Secretary, Olufemi Adewole, urged all parties to urgently resolve the crisis, warning that prolonged disruption could destabilise the nation’s fuel supply chain.