Author: Vardiafrica

The Federal Government of Nigeria expresses deep concern over reports of an Israeli airstrike on 9 September 2025 in Doha, Qatar, reportedly targeting senior members of the Hamas leadership. Nigeria underscores the primacy of respecting the sovereignty of all nations and adhering to international law, particularly in matters involving the use of force across borders. This development raises serious questions about regional stability and the prospects for ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Nigeria acknowledges Qatar’s longstanding role in fostering dialogue and mediation in the region. In this context, Nigeria urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint,…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has begun the development of a new strategic framework for the country’s payments ecosystem with the launch of the Nigeria Payments System Vision 2028 (PSV 2028). This sets the stage for a more inclusive, innovative, and globally competitive digital financial system. At the inaugural meeting of the PSV 2028 Project Committee held in Lagos, September 9, 2025, the Director of the Payments System Policy Department (PSPD), Musa Jimoh, described the initiative as a “national assignment” with the potential to transform how individuals, businesses, and governments interact within the financial ecosystem. Reflecting on the journey…

A former group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has left the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after he was interrogated over financial matters during his time in office. Kyari was seen walking into the headquarters of the anti-graft agency in Abuja at about 2:15 pm on Wednesday. As he was walked in, the former GMD said, “I have done my part; the EFCC must do theirs. When each of us does our duty—without fear or favour, with honour, respect, and commitment—Nigeria moves forward.” The EFCC had approached the Federal…

US tech billionaire Larry Ellison has overtaken Elon Musk as the world’s richest person. Ellison’s wealth surged after shares in the company, Oracle, which he co-founded and in which he owns a stake of 41%, rocketed in early trading on Wednesday, September 10. Oracle shares rose by more than 40% in early trading to $340 a share, valuing the business software company at $958bn (£707bn) and Ellison’s stake at $393bn, just ahead of Musk’s fortune of $384bn, according to Bloomberg’s billionaires index. The jump in the shares is the company’s largest single-day increase ever and the biggest ever one-day wealth increase on the Bloomberg index. Ellison…

Wednesday’s meeting marks his seventh visit to Paris since assuming office in May 2023, and his first since attending the BRICS summit in Brazil and the Tokyo International Conference on African Development in Japan earlier this year. So far, in the first nine months of 2025, the President has embarked on 15 international trips across 11 countries. These include summits, bilateral meetings, state visits, presidential inaugurations, and official leaves. On January 6, Tinubu kicked off his diplomatic itinerary with a visit to Accra, the capital of the Republic of Ghana, to attend the inauguration of President-elect John Dramani Mahama on…

As part of efforts to tackle the reoccurring issue of unruly passengers’ the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has urged airline operators to ensure that any passenger who exhibits unruly behavior is not allowed to fly. The Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, gave the directive at a meeting with all domestic airlines to speak to regulatory issues around the issue, and that of passenger handling protocols; unresolved refund/compensation issues, Introduction of RFID bag tags and flight monitoring technology; Enforcement of phone switch-off instruction and protection for cabin crew and…

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has approved the executive of the African Democratic Party, ADC. The electoral umpire on its official website confirmed David Mark as the party’s National Chairman. Others are the National Secretary, a position held by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. Mani, Ibrahim Ahmad is the National Treasurer of the party while Akibu Dalhatu serves as theNational Financial Secretary. The National Legal Adviser of the ADC is Prof. Oserheimen Aigberaodion Osunbor. Recall that following the decision of the coalition of political leaders to use the ADC as its vehicle for the 2027 general elections, a faction of the…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is constrained by law from sanctioning politicians who have begun campaigns ahead of the 2027 general election. Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of INEC, spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at a stakeholders’ roundtable on premature political campaigns. Yakubu said while section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 prohibits campaigns earlier than 150 days before polling, the law provides no sanction for such breaches. “Quite correctly, Nigerians expect INEC, as registrar and regulator of political parties, to act in the face of the brazen breach of the law on early campaign. However, the major challenge for the commission is…

 Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the Na­tional Chairman of the All Pro­gressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, said more governors in the country will likely decamp to the party ahead of the 2027 gen­eral election to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid. Speaking during the Bayelsa State chapter’s expanded stake­holders meeting and endorse­ment of President Tinubu in Yenagoa, the state capital, Yil­watda stated that because Presi­dent Tinubu has performed well in governance, more governors and senators have abandoned their parties and joined the APC to ensure that the president wins overwhelmingly in 2027. Yilwatda, represented by the APC Deputy National Chairman, South,…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned an alleged attempt by the acting clerk of the National Assembly to stop Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from resuming at the Senate after what it called an unjust six months’ suspension imposed on her by the Senate leadership. The Senate clerk had sent a letter to the suspended senator saying she cannot resume after the completion of her six-months suspension since the matter is in court and until the legal process is completed, she cannot resume  for her legislative activities in the red chamber. In a statement signed by its national publicity secretary, Debo…