Author: Vardiafrica

Thirty-eight young graduates of engineering and geosciences on Friday in Port Harcourt completed kick-off formalities for a 12-month Nigerian Content (NC) Human Capacity Development (HCD) Training Programme on the Provision of Turnkey Joint Venture (JV) Services for Workover and Recompletion of Obiafu 44 Well. Located in the Obiafu-Obrikom Field (Oil Mining Lease 61) within the Niger Delta, the Well is a strategic offshore gas-condensate asset. Structured into six months of intensive classroom instruction and six months of on-the-job training, the programme covers Basic Drilling Engineering Operations, Well Planning and Design, Measurement While Drilling (MWD), Logging While Drilling (LWD), Drilling Rigs Operation…

The Federal Government has urged Nigerian manufacturers and businesses to take advantage of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) to expand exports, access new West African markets and increase production. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, made the call at an ETLS sensitisation workshop for the North-East zone held in Bauchi. The workshop focused on increasing intra-regional trade through the scheme and improving businesses’ understanding of the opportunities available under the regional trade framework. The Federal Government considers the ETLS an important instrument for strengthening economic integration among ECOWAS member states. Enikanolaiye said businesses could use the scheme…

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has launched an investigation into Uber’s abrupt withdrawal from the Nigerian market, with particular attention to services left unfulfilled for customers. The commission’s Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, disclosed this on Sunday while speaking to Bloomberg, saying the regulator was examining the circumstances surrounding the ride-hailing company’s exit. According to Bello, the investigation would focus on how Uber handled its obligations to customers before shutting down its Nigerian operations. “We are looking into the manner of their exit, particularly in respect of unfulfilled services to the customers,” he said. Uber announced on…

Senator Uba Sani commended the President of Dangote Industries Ltd., Alhaji Aliko Dangote, for being patriotic and committed to the economic development of Nigeria by always looking inwards with his investments. .He noted that investments like the ones in DPAN contribute significantly to industrial development, technology transfer, job creation, and economic growth, while reaffirming the Kaduna State Government’s commitment to supporting credible private-sector investments that create opportunities and strengthen the State’s industrial base. Backing his words with action, Gov. Sani pledged to hand over the official land title documents to the company and assured the management that he would engage his…

Uber has launched a limited robotaxi service in London, just a day after ending its 12-year ride-hailing operation in Nigeria. The global mobility company on Thursday introduced the autonomous vehicle service in partnership with Wayve, a UK-based self-driving technology company, as it intensifies efforts to make autonomous transportation a major part of its global business. The development came barely 24 hours after Uber announced its exit from Nigeria, where it had operated since 2014. The London launch marks a significant shift in the company’s strategy, with Uber increasingly investing in autonomous mobility and partnerships with technology and automotive companies. The…

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Tuesday participated actively in the Africa Local Content Programme, a key event at the ongoing Africa Oil Week held in Accra, Ghana. Africa Oil Week (AOW 2026) is a leading international conference, networking, and exhibition programme focused on Africa’s oil, gas, and upstream energy sector. The event brings together industry leaders, governments, regulators, investors, and service providers to develop policy, share discoveries, secure investment, and shape the continent’s energy future The Africa Local Content Programme themed “Building African Capacity, Competitiveness and Collaboration Across the Upstream Value Chain,” was organised in partnership with the NCDMB, the African Union (AU) and the Petroleum Commission…

The Federal Government has unveiled Nigeria’s first National Land Transport Policy, with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu seeking to replace fragmented transport infrastructure with an integrated national network linking roads, railways, ports, inland waterways and aviation. The policy was unveiled Thursday in Abuja at the 19th National Council on Transportation, held at the National Judicial Institute, Jahi, under the theme, “Developing an Effective Transport System for Nigeria: The Role of Integrated Transportation.” Representing Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Special Adviser on General Duties to the Vice President, Dr Aliyu Modibbo Umar, said the policy was central to the…

Nigeria and the International Energy Agency (IEA) have signed an agreement for a Joint Work Programme to strengthen strategic partnership in the development of data for energy policy and investment across the value chain for economic growth and energy security. This is just as the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, said Nigeria’s formal admission into the IEA as an association country is a significant milestone for the country and another testament to the gains of the economic reforms of the administration of President Bola Tinubu. Speaking on behalf of President Tinubu on Thursday during the signing of the agreement for…

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has signed the much-anticipated 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, describing the budget as a “breath of fresh air” The governor performed the exercise on Thursday at the State Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt, the state capital. He expressed optimism that the budget would usher in a new phase of development and cooperation in the state. Fubara said his administration’s commitment remains focused on the progress and development of Rivers State, while assuring the State Assembly of a cordial and cooperative relationship going forward. The Rivers governor thanked God for making the occasion possible,…

Kenya’s President William Ruto has ordered a crackdown on foreigners operating small-scale businesses, saying local traders and hawkers need to be protected. His announcement comes amid growing debate about the increasing number of African migrants involved in Kenya’s vast informal economy. “From next week, all [foreign] traders doing those small businesses should close them,” he said, also promising to fast-track proposed legislation to preclude foreigners from certain areas of trade. Ruto said Kenya remained open to foreign investment, but argued that investors – including Chinese traders – should create jobs and expand production rather than compete with Kenyans in small…