Author: Vardiafrica

Afrobeats pioneer Fela Kuti is set to become the first African artist to receive a Lifetime Achievement GRAMMY.  It comes almost 30 years after the Nigerian artist passed away, finally recognising his innovative and experimental work in the early sound of Afrobeats, where he combined traditional West African music with jazz and American funk. The Lifetime Achievement Award was first introduced in 1963 by the GRAMMYs, meaning it will be the first time in its 63 years that an African musician will be recognised for their work in the category. While long-term friend and manager of Fela Kuti, Rikki Stein, said it’s…

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has launched 10 electric shuttle buses and 20 electric saloon cars into airport operations to support International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. According to the Chairman, FAAN, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje during the official launch in Abuja on Thursday said these vehicles will support airside and landside logistics, staff movement, and services, strengthening passenger coordination and efficiency across the airport. He said by embracing electric mobility, FAAN is positioning Nigerian airports to remain competitive, responsible and future-ready. He said the electric vehicles offer clear operational and…

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed sanctions on the Senegalese and Moroccan football federations, as well as several players, following chaotic incidents that marred the 2025 African Cup of Nations final. CAF announced that Senegal’s head coach, Pape Bouna Thiaw, has been suspended for five matches due to unsporting conduct. Additionally, player Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye received a two-match suspension for unsporting behaviour toward the referee. “Mr Pape Bouna Thiaw was also fined USD 100,000,” the statement read. CAF also decided to “suspend the Senegalese national team player, Mr Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye, for two (2) official CAF matches,…

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, permission to travel to Saudi Arabia to perform the 2026 Lesser Hajj (Umrah). Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the ruling on Thursday, ordering the temporary release of Bello’s international passport, which had been deposited with the court as part of his bail conditions. The former governor is currently standing trial on an 18-count charge bordering on the alleged misappropriation of ₦80.2 billion, filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The request, filed on January 20 and supported by a 24-paragraph affidavit, was…

The Senate has initiated an investigation into the operational inefficiencies and security concerns plaguing Nigeria’s railway system, amid rising concerns about declining service delivery. This decision follows a personal explanation presented during Thursday’s plenary by a lawmaker, who highlighted the deteriorating condition of key rail corridors across the country. As a result, Senate President Godswill Akpabio set up an ad hoc committee to conduct a thorough inquiry into the state of the Nigerian railway system. The committee has been tasked with investigating the execution of rail projects, funding, operational efficiency, and service delivery. It is expected to submit its findings…

Meta’s WhatsApp messaging service is offering users an advanced security mode, joining a growing number of US tech firms that are letting users opt into stronger protections against hackers in exchange for a more restrictive experience. The new option, rolling out on Tuesday and called “Strict Account Settings,” is a one-click button in WhatsApp’s settings that activates a series of defenses. These include blocking media and attachments from unknown senders, disabling link previews — the ‌thumbnails that appear when a URL is entered ‌into a chat — and silencing calls from unknown contacts. All three have been identified as potential vectors for…

In a renewed effort to strengthen the education sector, the Rivers State Government has approved the recruitment of 5,000 teachers into the state civil service. The initiative is aimed at addressing manpower gaps and improving efficiency and service delivery across public schools in the state. The Rivers State Executive Council granted the approval in its meeting yesterday at Government House, Port Harcourt, presided over by the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara. Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honor Sirawoo, disclosed that the recruitment exercise will be strictly merit-based. He emphasized that…

The Nigerian Army has issued a stern warning to its personnel against the illegal sale of arms and ammunition, emphasizing that any officer found engaging in such acts will face severe disciplinary action. The warning was delivered by the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs at Army Headquarters, Major General M.A. Etsu Ndagi, during a sensitization workshop on human rights and professional conduct for troops of the 17 Brigade and Sector 2 Joint Taskforce Northwest Operation. “Let me warn you against the sale of arms and ammunition. Such acts will only worsen the security situation in the country,” Major General Ndagi said.…

Meta plans to test new subscriptions that give people access to exclusive features on its apps, the company told TechCrunch on Monday. The tech giant said the new subscriptions will unlock more productivity and creativity, along with expanded AI capabilities. In the coming months, Meta said it will offer a premium experience on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp that gives users access to special features and more control over how they share and connect, while keeping the core experiences free. Meta doesn’t appear to be locked into one strategy, noting that it will test a variety of subscription features and bundles, and…

Saudi Arabia and Nigeria have signed their first-ever bilateral agreement on the recruitment of general workers, creating a formal labour corridor between Africa’s largest economy and the Middle East’s biggest labour market. The deal signals a strategic shift in how Nigerian labour is absorbed into Gulf economies, moving from informal migration pipelines to a regulated, state-backed framework. Signed on the sidelines of the Global Labour Market Conference 2026 in Riyadh, the agreement positions Nigeria as a priority labour partner for Saudi Arabia at a time when the kingdom is aggressively reshaping its workforce under Vision 2030. For Nigeria, it offers…