Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 10th September, 2025
1. NUPENG Suspends Nationwide Strike
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has announced the suspension of its ongoing nationwide strike over its dispute with the Dangote Group.
Naija News recalls that NUPENG had on Monday declared a nationwide industrial action to protest the refusal of the Dangote Group to allow its workers to join the union, particularly NUPENG.
It was gathered that the strike was called off after parties reached an agreement at a meeting convened by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The meeting was attended by the Ministers of Labour and Finance, as well as officials of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
According to Vanguard, Seyu Dantata led the Dangote management team to the meeting.
Also confirming the suspension to The PUNCH, National President of NUPENG, Williams Akporeha, said the Dangote refinery team agreed to unionise its drivers.
“We have suspended the strike. The Dangote refinery has agreed to unionise its drivers. We signed an agreement,” Akporeha said in a telephone conversation.
2. 40% For FG, 60% For States – Tinubu Govt Reveals How It Will Use 5% Fuel Tax
President Bola Tinubu’s administration has explained that the controversial 5% fuel tax was designed to fund road maintenance, with 40% of the funds allocated to federal roads and 60% to state governments.
Naija News reports that the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, explained this while featuring on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday.
During the interview, Oyedele said the surcharge was created under a 2007 law but was never implemented because fuel subsidies were still in place at the time.
He stressed that the levy was not part of the tax bills signed by President Bola Tinubu earlier this year and was also not proposed by the Presidency to the National Assembly.
Naija News reports that critics argued that the timing of the policy was insensitive, given the soaring cost of fuel and inflation already biting households and businesses.
However, Oyedele dismissed the speculations, saying there is no fixed date for the implementation of the surcharge.
3. FG Releases Approved Subject List For New Curriculum
The Federal Government has released the authentic and approved subject offerings for the newly revised Basic and Senior Secondary Education Curriculum, warning schools, teachers, and parents against fake versions being circulated.
In a statement on Monday, the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) said only the officially approved list signed by its Executive Secretary, Professor Salisu Shehu, on September 8, 2025, should be relied upon.
The NERDC added that nationwide sensitisation and teacher capacity-building programmes will begin immediately to ensure effective implementation of the new curriculum.
The reforms, driven by the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) under its National Education Sector Reform Initiatives (NESRI), are aimed at cutting curriculum overload while ensuring “positive learning outcomes” for Nigerian pupils.
According to the NERDC, the changes will take effect at the start of each three-year education circle — Primary 1, Primary 4, JSS 1, and SS 1.
The Council assured stakeholders that the reforms mark a new phase in Nigeria’s education system, prioritising relevance, flexibility, and early skill acquisition for learners.
4. ‘Don’t Deny The Truth, You Missed Opportunity’ – ADC Tackles Abbas
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reacted to the recent remarks and subsequent retraction by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, over Nigeria’s rising debt profile.
The opposition party described the Speaker’s backpedalling as a missed opportunity for courageous leadership.
Naija News reports that the House of Representatives Speaker was quoted to have raised an alarm over Nigeria’s rising debt profile, warning that it has surpassed the statutory ceiling and now poses a serious threat to fiscal sustainability.
Speaking on Monday at the opening of the 11th Annual Conference and General Assembly of the West Africa Association of Public Accounts Committees (WAAPAC) at the National Assembly, Abuja, Abbas who was represented by a member of the House, Babatunde Salam, said Nigeria’s debt had reached “a critical point.”
However, hours later, in a rebuttal by his media aide, the Speaker said he never called for a blanket condemnation of borrowing and supports responsible public debt when properly managed, including oversight functions.
He added that under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria has met its 2025 revenue target ahead of schedule, without reliance on borrowing
But in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the Speaker’s initial admission that the country’s debt has crossed critical levels was a rare moment of honesty from within the ruling party.
The ADC, however, lamented that his quick withdrawal reflects the growing culture of political cowardice and legislative complicity.
The party warned that, with unchecked borrowing and a National Assembly it called “the most compliant in recent history,” Nigeria’s future is being dangerously mortgaged with the full complicity of this National Assembly.
5. ‘Sensational Politics’ – Abati Carpets Melaye Over Statement On Tinubu Govt Borrowing From Opay, Moniepoint
Veteran journalist and former presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati, has rubbished claims by former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, that President Bola Tinubu’s administration may start taking loans from some of Nigeria’s leading Fintech companies, including Opay and Moniepoint.
In dismissing Melaye’s remarks, Abati submitted that nobody expects the former Senator to praise Tinubu’s government because he belongs to the opposition party.
The journalist added that Fintech money is not the kind of funds the Nigerian government would look at to build capacity.
Naija News reports that Abati’s comments follow earlier remarks by Melaye, who made a mockery of President Bola Tinubu, saying Nigerians will not be surprised if his administration starts borrowing from loan apps.
The remarks come in the wake of intense scrutiny over the Tinubu administration’s borrowing.
However, Abati has dismissed the comments as political.
He also accused Melaye of making sensational and political statements regarding allegations that Tinubu bought a yacht with Nigerian taxpayers’ money and keeps it outside the country.
Abati said the former lawmaker’s observation was incorrect, as it was the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari that raised the idea of a yacht, and the Navy already clarified that the yacht is not for presidential use but for operational purposes by the Navy.
6. Senate Rejects Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Return, Gives Reason
The Senate has turned down Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s request to return to her legislative duties.
In a letter signed by the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Yahaya Danzaria, the lawmakers insisted that the embattled senator’s six-month suspension stands until the Court of Appeal rules on her case.
The Senate acknowledged receiving the senator’s notice that she planned to resume on September 4, 2025, which she said marked the end of her suspension.
However, the Senate pointed out that her suspension started on March 6, 2025, and added that the matter is sub judice since it is already before the Court of Appeal.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended in March after the Senate accused her of breaching its standing orders.
While the Federal High Court in Abuja upheld the suspension, she appealed to the Court of Appeal.
According to the letter, the Senate will only review her suspension after the court delivers its judgment.
7. Nollywood Needs Talent, Not Just Beauty – Kanayo
Veteran Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has raised concern about what he sees as a growing problem in the Nigerian movie industry, especially with productions on YouTube.
Naija News reports that the thespian said that too much attention is now being given to actors who are considered popular faces, instead of focusing on true acting skills.
Kanayo, whose real name is Anayo Modestus Onyekwere, has been in the industry for more than three decades and is remembered for his role in the 1992 film Living in Bondage.
Over the years, he has remained one of the strong voices pushing for growth and quality in Nollywood.
In the message shared on his Instagram page, the actor explained that he would use his own platform to give chances to fresh talents who may not be widely known but can perform well.
He stated that movie production is not about appearance but about acting ability.
The actor recalled how in the early days of Nollywood, some sponsors sidelined actors because they believed certain faces could not sell movies, which led to many careers being cut short.
He said the same practice is reappearing today on digital platforms, with a small group of popular actors dominating the space while new talents struggle to break through.
According to him, relying only on a few familiar names discourages creativity and prevents upcoming actors from getting noticed.
8. Mr Eazi Is Supposed To Humble Himself And Take Temi Otedola’s Surname – Radiogad
Media personality Radiogad has shared his opinion on the surname change that followed the wedding of singer Mr Eazi and Temi Otedola.
Naija News reports that the wedding, which brought together the music star and the daughter of billionaire Femi Otedola, sparked mixed reactions after Temi decided to drop her family name and adopt her husband’s surname, Ajibade.
Reacting to the development, Radiogad, in a video on his Instagram page, argued that Mr Eazi made a mistake by giving his surname to Temi.
According to him, the singer would have gained more if he had instead chosen to adopt his wife’s surname.
He explained that marrying into the Otedola family carries weight and that Mr Eazi would have benefited more by taking Temi’s name.
Radiogad added that in certain situations, men should humble themselves and accept their wives’ surnames, especially when the woman comes from a family with influence and reach.
9. World Cup Qualifiers: Nigeria, South Africa Match End 1-1
The Super Eagles of Nigeria played a 1-1 draw against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.
Naija News reports that the Super Eagles needed a win to spark their hope of qualifying for next year’s World cup.
Ahead of the match, South Africa, leading Group C, were looking to extend their advantage, while Nigeria needed a victory to keep their World Cup qualification hopes on track.
However, Super Eagles Captain, William Troost Ekong gave South Africa the lead when he scored and own goal, but Fulham’s Calvin Bassey restored Nigeria’s hope with a powerful header just before halftime.
Following eight rounds of matches, South Africa sit top of Group C in the CAF qualifiers for the World Cup.
Bafana Bafana have 17 points, sitting six points ahead of Nigeria, who have 11 points and provisionally moved to second spot.
Nigeria now needs to finish in the top two of Group C to have a shot at World Cup qualification.
Following their 1-1 draw with South Africa, they need to win their remaining matches, against Lesotho and Benin, and also hope others in their group drop points.
10. Ange Postecoglou Appointed As New Nottingham Forest Manager
Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, appointed Ange Postecoglou as their new club manager.
Naija News reports Postecoglu replaces Nuno Espirito Santo, who was sacked following a fallout with club owner, Evangelos Marinakis.
Postecoglou himself was sacked by Tottenham in June, just days after winning the Europa League title for the North London club.
Despite ending Spurs’ 17-year wait to win a trophy, the Australian was dismissed due to Tottenham’s worst league season since 1976/77 as they finished 17th.
Speaking on Postecoglou’s appointment, Nottingham owner, Marinakis backed the 60-year-old Australian to win major trophies at the club just as he did during spells with Tottenham, Celtic, and Yokohama Marinos.
Postecoglou faces a daunting task of leading Forest, who sit 10th in the Premier League on four points after three games, for the first time in Saturday’s trip to Arsenal.
Speaking on why the club settled for Postecoglou, Marinakis praised his attacking style of football, hoping he can repeat his Europa League success, with Forest.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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