Author: Vardiafrica

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed receiving letters of intent from 110 associations seeking registration as political parties. Chairman of the Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Wednesday, noting that the requests are being processed in line with the relevant laws and the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines. “As of Monday, 23rd June 2025, the Commission has received letters of intent from 110 associations that wish to register as political parties. We are diligently processing the requests in line with the procedure outlined in the law as well as our regulations and guidelines. We have acknowledged all requests…

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has strengthened bilateral ties with the Government of the Netherlands to advance NIS migration management tools and improve border control systems. This development followed a working visit to the Netherlands earlier this year by Comptroller General of Immigration, CGIS Kemi Nandap. A Dutch delegation led by Chargé D’Affaires, Mr. J. Bartelink of the Netherlands Embassy visited NIS Headquarters in Abuja for a strategic meeting. The visit focused on enhancing collaboration on migration governance, capacity building, and the formal transfer of crucial operational resources. Among the resources presented to the NIS were the Edison Software license keys and…

PayTV operator, Multichoice Nigeria, has slashed its decoder price by 50% from N20,000 to N10,000 in a strategic move to woo more customers and stem the tide of declining subscribers. The company said it will also be offering its customers a free upgrade to the next DStv package tier when they pay their current subscription in full from June 16 to July 31, 2025. Coming after losing 1.4 million subscribers between March 2023 and March 2025, Multichoice claims the initiative was its response “to the noticeable economic impact on the everyday lives of Nigerians.” By repositioning itself as a platform…

The European Union (EU) is set to launch a social protection programme aimed at assisting individuals affected by the recent attacks in Yelewata and other communities in Benue State, North Central Nigeria. During a visit to an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Makurdi, EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Gautier Mignot, emphasised the importance of dialogue and mutual understanding between communities as essential tools for lasting peace—drawing from Europe’s own history of conflict. Ambassador Mignot stated that the EU would collaborate with state authorities to support peace-building efforts in Benue and provide development assistance. He noted that while the social…

The Nigerian government has signed an agreement with Brazil on defence, agriculture, trade and science technology as part of efforts to enhance security in both countries. This was contained in a statement issued by the media aide to the Defence Minister, Mati Ali The statement said the, “Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar on behalf of the Nigerian Government, signed a defence agreement with the Government of Brazil.” The statement noted that the agreement was signed,”during the second session of the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism (SDM) held on Tuesday, 24th June 2025, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. “Minister Badaru signed…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday received Her Majesty Mary Elizabeth, Queen of Denmark, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to the President, confirmed the visit and described it as a sign of strengthening diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Denmark. Queen Mary Elizabeth, who holds the title of Countess Monpezat, was warmly welcomed by President Tinubu and First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during her courtesy call at the Presidential Villa. Photos released by the State House show the dignitaries in a cordial atmosphere, reflecting mutual respect and a shared commitment to…

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni will run for a seventh term in next year’s election, a senior ruling party official confirmed. Yoweri Museveni, 80, has held power in Uganda since 1986. He is the fourth longest-ruling leader in Africa after Teodoro Obiang from Equatorial Guinea (46 years), Paul Biya from Cameroon (43 years) and Denis Sassou-Nguesso from the Congo Republic (41 years). Under his tenure, the NRM has changed the 1995 constitution twice to allow him to extend his rule.The 2005 amendment removed presidential terms limit and in 2017, the Ugandan Parliament voted to withdraw age eligibility requirements. Museveni was widely…

The Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Bassey Otu, has welcomed the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, and his management team to the Exco Chambers in Calabar. During the meeting with the excos, the Governor had a discussion centered on how best to deepen collaboration between Cross River State and the NDDC in fast tracking infrastructure and social development projects across the state. Otu emphasized that every intervention counts, adding that the state turns every kobo whether from federal allocations or agencies like the NDDC into tangible projects…

The Nigerian Senate has approved a fresh extension of the capital component of the 2024 national budget, shifting its implementation deadline to December 31, 2025. The decision was reached during plenary on Tuesday following the presentation and swift passage of an amendment bill to the Appropriation Act. The bill, read and passed through first, second, and third readings in a single sitting, was supported by the lawmakers. Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, who chaired the Plenary, announced the resolution following the adoption of the report by the Senate Committee on Supply. The debate was led by the Chairman of…

A delegation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently meeting with the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja. The meeting is taking place at the headquarters of the electoral umpire in the Maitama area of the nation’s capital. The sit-down follows the controversy surrounding the proposed national executive committee (NEC) meeting of the PDP. The delegation, led by Umar Damagum, acting national chairman of the PDP, includes four governors: Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau. Other are Bukola Saraki, former senate president; Abba Moro,…