Author: Vardiafrica

The Senate has asked the Federal Government to introduce urgent measures to protect Nigerian farmers from the impact of falling agricultural produce prices and rising production costs. This was part of resolutions during plenary following a motion sponsored by Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central), highlighting the growing challenges facing local farmers amid recent government policies aimed at reducing food prices nationwide. He commended the Federal Government for easing the burden on consumers through waivers and special approvals for large-scale food imports, a move that has helped lower food prices and provided relief to many Nigerians. He, however, noted that the…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revoked the operating licences of two primary mortgage banks, Aso Savings and Loans Plc and Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc, over what it described as persistent regulatory violations and severe financial distress. In a press release issued on Tuesday, the apex bank said the action was taken in line with Section 12 of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 and Section 7.3 of the Revised Guidelines for Mortgage Banks in Nigeria. According to the CBN, the decision forms part of ongoing efforts to sanitise and reposition the mortgage banking…

Nigeria is advancing a major military modernisation initiative with a landmark procurement of 24 Italian-built M‑346FA fighter jets from Italian aerospace and defence firm Leonardo S.p.A., marking the largest single military aircraft acquisition in West African history, Business Insider Africa has reported. The report says that the deal, valued at approximately €1.2 billion, includes long-term maintenance and support provisions through Leonardo and represents a strategic deepening of defence ties between Nigeria and the Italian manufacturer. Business Inside Africa in an earlier publication had reported that Nigeria’s cabinet approved a borrowing plan of $618 million from a consortium of financiers to purchase six Italian-made…

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has berated the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) over its decision to reactivate enforcement of the suspended tinted glass permit policy. On Monday, the NPF announced that enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy will resume on January 2, 2026, citing a surge in vehicle-related crimes. In a statement signed by Afam Osigwe, its president, the NBA said the announcement “has once again confirmed the sad reality that the Nigeria Police Force, despite being the foremost law enforcement agency in Nigeria, continues to exhibit a troubling disregard for the rule of law and the due process it is constitutionally mandated…

Elon Musk is now worth more than US$600bn, a new personal record after SpaceX’s surge, surpassing his previous half‑trillion peak from October Elon Musk has once again reset the limits of personal wealth, becoming the first individual in history to surpass a net worth of US$600bn. Elon’s fortune reached a new all-time high after SpaceX, his aerospace manufacturing company, secured a dramatically higher valuation through an insider share sale. According to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index, the multi-CEO of Tesla, SpaceX and xAI is worth close to US$638bn on 15 December – the increase driven primarily by SpaceX being valued at approximately US$800bn. That deal…

President Bola Tinubu is currently holding a high-level, closed-door meeting with the nation’s Service Chiefs at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja. The crucial security meeting commenced at approximately 06:01pm (local time), shortly after the military high command arrived at the forecourt and were ushered into the President’s office. This marks a significant engagement as it is President Tinubu’s first meeting with the Service Chiefs since he swore in General Christopher Musa (retd.) as the new Minister of Defence on December 4. Although the official agenda of Monday’s meeting was not immediately made public, the engagement is taking place…

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has demanded the immediate recusal of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from an ongoing investigation involving him. Malami, in a statement on Monday by his spokesman, Muhammad Doka, alleged bias, personal vendetta and political persecution linked to his recent defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The ex-minister accused the anti-graft agency of what he described as illegal detention, media harassment and procedural abuse, insisting that the investigation was driven not by law enforcement considerations but by deep-seated historical animosity on the part…

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Sunday rejected a transition programme announced by Guinea-Bissau’s military rulers and demanded an immediate return to constitutional order, warning of targeted sanctions against those obstructing the process. Guinea-Bissau’s Military High Command toppled President Umaro Sissoco Embaló on November 26, installing Major-General Horta Inta-a as interim president the following day. The move marks the ninth coup in West and Central Africa in five years, intensifying concerns over democratic backsliding in a region already facing political instability and insecurity. At ECOWAS’ annual summit in Abuja, Nigeria, regional leaders called for the immediate release…

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court in Gwarimpa, Abuja, has ordered that Chris Ngige, former minister of labour and employment, remains in Kuje Correctional Centre till December 18, pending ruling on his bail application. Maryam Hassan, the presiding judge, issued the order on Monday, after taking arguments from both the prosecution and defence on Ngige’s bail application. Patrick Ikwueto, counsel to Ngige, prayed the court to admit his client to bail for several reasons, especially on health grounds. Ikwueto told the court that the former minister would not jump bail or interfere with witnesses. However, Sylvanus Tahir, counsel to the…

Forty-one young graduates shortlisted from the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Joint Qualification System (NOGIC JQS) on Thursday commenced a 12-month training on Turn-around Maintenance (TAM) under the Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) Nigerian Content Human Capital Development (HCD) programme. The hands-on training will focus on plant management, non-destructive testing techniques for inspection and evaluation of materials or structures to detect flaws or determine their integrity, welding booths, and use of ceiling boards manufactured from a combination of different materials to optimise strength), among other courses. In an address at the kick-off ceremony in Port Harcourt, Manager, Human Capital Development…