Author: Vardiafrica

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved the release of ₦28 billion to electricity distribution companies (DisCos) under the second phase of the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) scheme. The directive, contained in NERC Order No: 2025/10 — Order on the Operationalisation of Tranche B of the Meter Acquisition Fund, took effect on October 6. It forms part of the presidential metering initiative designed to bridge Nigeria’s estimated seven million meter deficit. According to the order, signed by NERC vice chairman Musiliu Oseni and commissioner for legal, licensing and compliance Dafe Akpeneye, the second tranche will prioritise metering of all…

Cristiano Ronaldo has become the all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup qualifiers, after scoring a brace for Portugal in a 2-2 draw against Hungary.  His brace took him to 41 goals, surpassing Carlos Ruiz of Guatemala (39 goals), Lionel Messi of Argentina (36), Ali Daei of Iran (35), and Robert Lewandowski of Poland (32). Ronaldo’s first goal came from a Nelson Semedo assist, and the second was a classic far-post finish after a cross from Nuno Mendes.  This achievement adds to Ronaldo’s historic legacy. The Portuguese now has 948 career goals for club and country – the most by any player…

Nigeria has taken over the chairmanship of the Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four (G-24) from Argentina and will officially assume office on November 1, 2025. The country will unveil its Work Programme after due consultations. Representing the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening the G-24 as a catalyst for inclusive dialogue and global economic reform. “Our focus will be on sustaining momentum in areas that matter most to our members. We look forward to working together to advance our shared mission of inclusive growth, equity, and…

The State Department revoked at least six visas from foreigners who publicly celebrated the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on social media, the department announced Tuesday. The move has drawn criticism from free speech advocates and prompted a legal defense group to offer free assistance to those affected. In a post on X, the State Department said it took action against individuals from Argentina, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Germany and Paraguay, sharing examples of social media posts celebrating Kirk’s killing during a university debate event in Utah last month. “The United States has no obligation to host foreigners who…

The forum of state chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended two members over alleged anti-party activities and attempts to sabotage the party’s forthcoming national convention. The decision was reached at a meeting held on Tuesday at the party’s FCT secretariat in Abuja, under the chairmanship of Edward Percy Masha, acting secretary of the forum. The suspended officials are Austine Nwachukwu, chairman of Imo PDP; and Amah Abraham Nnana, chairman of Abia PDP. The forum accused the duo of colluding with “external forces” allegedly linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to disrupt preparations for the national convention…

Nigeria will face Gabon in the semi-finals at the continental stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup play-offs. This follows the Super Eagles’ victory over the Benin Republic on Tuesday and the conclusion of the qualifying group matches. A 4–0 victory over their neighbours sealed a place for the Eagles at the play-offs, while Gabon confirmed second place in Group F with a 2–0 win against Burundi. South Africa topped the group with 18 points, while Nigeria closely followed in second place with 17 points Ivory Coast defeated Kenya to top the group. In other matches, DR Congo sealed their…

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has directed his newly appointed commissioners and top government officials to always wear the ‘Asiwaju Mandate Cap’ as a show of loyalty to President Bola Tinubu, warning that any commissioner who fails to comply will face sanctions. Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of commissioners, agency board members, and commission heads in Benin City on Tuesday, Okpebholo issued a stern warning to his cabinet members. The governor credited the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the recent Edo governorship election to President Tinubu’s support, describing it as a turning point for the party…

The Federal Government has finalized the implementation framework for the ₦4 trillion Presidential Power Sector Debt Reduction Plan, a landmark intervention aimed at restoring financial stability and investor confidence in Nigeria’s electricity industry. The plan, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and endorsed by the Federal Executive Council in August 2025, authorizes the issuance of government-backed bonds to offset verified debts owed to generation companies (GenCos) and gas suppliers—a move described as the largest financial intervention in the power sector in over a decade. High-Level Talks Reach Agreement The breakthrough followed a high-level meeting held on October 7, 2025, in Abuja, involving: The meeting reviewed payment modalities and produced a consensus…

A Madagascar army colonel says the military has taken charge of the African island nation after its parliament voted to impeach President Andry Rajoelina. Colonel Michael Randrianirina’s announcement in front of the ceremonial presidential palace in the capital, Antananarivo, on Tuesday came almost immediately after parliament voted to impeach Rajoelina, who fled the country after soldiers joined mass antigovernment protests “We have taken the power,” Randrianirina said, adding that the military was dissolving all institutions except the lower house of parliament. Randrianirina said the military would form a council composed of officers from the military and the gendarmerie law enforcement…

The Nigerian Content Academy Lecture Series organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) got off to a thought-provoking start on Friday with a panoramic overview of local content strategy and implementation in the Nigerian oil and gas industry and a word of caution to industry players to not trifle with the initiative. In a presentation on the topic “Staying the Nigerian Content Course in the Midst of Delivery Challenges,” the pioneer Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Dr. Ernest Nwapa, addressed several industry issues, dismissing the notion that the absence of final investment decisions (FIDs) in the country’s…