Author: Vardiafrica

Federal Government has announced plans to waive data charges for millions of students accessing approved educational platforms as part of efforts to expand digital learning across Nigeria. The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced the initiative during the launch of the Initiative for Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content in Nigeria. Alausa said the intervention, introduced under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is aimed at ensuring that the cost of internet connectivity does not prevent Nigerian students from accessing quality educational content. According to the minister, the initiative will benefit learners in senior secondary schools and tertiary institutions…

The Federal Government has taken a major step towards the decriminalisation of attempted suicide in Nigeria, following the approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) of the position of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on the matter. The Honourable Minister of State disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during the commemoration of the 2026 World Suicide Prevention Day, held under the theme, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.” Represented by the Permanent Secretary , Daju Kachollom S. mni, the Minister said the matter would now proceed to the National Assembly for the necessary legislative process, expressing optimism that…

The United States has delivered military equipment to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) as Washington and Abuja continue to strengthen security cooperation against terrorism and other threats in the region. The equipment was transported by a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III and delivered at locations in Lagos and Kainji. The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), which highlighted the delivery on Thursday in a statement, said the equipment was provided under a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement between the United States and Nigeria. “PARTNERSHIP IN ACTION: A U.S. Air Force C-17 delivers equipment to the Nigerian Air Force this weekend. The…

US President Donald Trump has promised to pay every adult American $5,000 if Republicans retain control of both chambers of Congress in the November midterm elections. Trump made the pledge on Wednesday during the Republican Party’s first-ever midterm convention in Dallas, Texas, presenting the proposed payment as a “Trump Dividend” and tying it directly to a Republican victory at the polls. “If the Republicans win, you win with us and you get $5,000,” Trump told the gathering. “It will be called the Trump Dividend.” The proposal, however, immediately raised questions over its funding, legality and potential impact on the US…

A minor fire incident occurred at the Idu Train Station in Abuja on Wednesday evening following an electrical fault, the Nigerian Railway Corporation has said on Thursday. The fire, which broke out in the station’s low-voltage electrical room, was discovered at about 8:30 pm and was quickly contained by maintenance personnel, according to the NRC. The Corporation’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, said in a statement that a preliminary assessment indicated that some electrical supply cables connected to the station’s control panels were damaged in the incident. However, the NRC said the station’s alternative solar power system was not…

The Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Governing Board, Mr Chiedu Ebie, has assured that the Commission will continue to play a strategic role in the development of legal education in universities across the Niger Delta region. Ebie spoke during the 2026 Moot and Mock Trial Competition for law Faculties in universities in the region, held at the Dr Nabo Graham Douglas Port Harcourt Campus of the Nigerian Law School, Rivers State. He said that the Commission would continue to play its statutory role in developing and supporting efforts to advance education, especially in legal education through practical…

Vice President Kashim Shettima has described the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND as a landmark initiative that has provided crucial financial relief to students from less-privileged backgrounds and removed financial barriers to higher education. The Fund, established by the current administration of Bola Tinubu, has been positioned as a vital social equaliser and a primary mechanism for poverty alleviation and the advancement of education in Nigeria. Shettima stated this on Wednesday in Abuja when he received the management team of the University of Abuja, led by its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi. The Vice President said; “that by ensuring tuition fees…

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reiterated the importance of empowering women to the well-being and prosperity of families and the nation at large. Mrs Tinubu stated this in Owerri, the Imo State capital, during the flag-off of the presentation of empowerment items to 500 women in each of the five South-East states: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo. Mrs Tinubu explained that at the end of the nationwide rollout of the initiative, 18,500 women across the country would have been empowered, with 500 beneficiaries selected from each state and the Federal Capital Territory. She said; “Today, 500 preselected…

Police in Benue State have arrested 46 people over Tuesday’s attack on the convoy of Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi along the Makurdi-Gboko federal highway. The suspects were paraded in Makurdi following the incident, which occurred as Obi travelled to Yelwata to meet victims of the June 2025 attacks in the community. The Benue State Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, said the investigation was still ongoing Nwadiogbu said the police were also tracking some leaders linked to the youths involved in the incident. He warned that the command would not tolerate political intolerance as the 2027 general election…

The Federal Government has settled the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) for academic staff of universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, from January to August 2026. The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this to journalists on Wednesday in Abuja. Mr Alausa said the affected institutions, including Federal Universities of Agriculture, had been notified to commence payment of the allowance to their academic staff. He said the government was also working to provide funds for the payment of CATA to non-academic staff, expressing optimism that the funds would be made available within the next few weeks. He said the…