Author: Vardiafrica

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it has intensified its plans to collaborate with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) on voter identity management and database systems in Nigeria. The INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, stated this when the management of the National Identity Management Commission paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja. Professor Yakubu said that the Commission has engaged with NIMC at different times with the intention of solidifying their partnership in the area of identity management system. “As is well known, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) holds the database of citizens for the…

A total of 300 youths from the Niger Delta region have graduated from the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Technical Skills Training Programme in various areas of specialisation. Addressing the youths during the graduation ceremony at the NDDC event centre in Port Harcourt, the Commission’s Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai, said the training programme was part of efforts of the Commission to reduce youth restiveness, create employment and reduce poverty among the people. Antai, who spoke on behalf of the Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, explained that the training in the areas of pipe fitting, scaffolding, forklift operations and…

President Bola Tinubu declared on Tuesday that his administration’s bold economic reforms, which aim to restore Nigeria to its enviable position, are achieving favourable results. The President said that the country’s economy is now stable and attracting interest from around the world. He stated this at the State House when he received His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Oladunni Olaoye, Orumogege III, the Soun of Ogbomosoland, in audience with some other royal fathers. President Tinubu said, ” Years of neglect and self-deception, fake records, smuggling, and all of that denied Nigeria the necessary revenue for progress and development. “Then we…

Local contractors on Wednesday blocked the main entrance to the Federal Ministry of Finance over the non-payment of funds for completed government projects.The aggrieved contractors under the aegis of the Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria, carried placards demanding immediate settlement of debts dating back to 2024.Due to the protest, staff and visitors were unable to gain access to the ministry. The convoy of the Minister of Finance was also prevented from entering through the main gate, forcing the minister to use an alternative route to reach his office.Efforts by the permanent secretary of the ministry to address the demonstrators were…

US President Donald Trump has accused Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping of conspiring against the US with the leaders of Russia and North Korea. Trump’s comments came as China hosted world leaders at its largest-ever Victory Day parade in Beijing on Wednesday – a showcase of China’s military might. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un as you conspire against the United States of America.” Trump previously rejected suggestions that the warming of relations between China, Russia and other nations poses a challenge to the US on the…

The UK government is planning a new law in England to stop anyone under the age of 16 buying energy drinks such as Red Bull, Monster, and Prime Energy from shops, restaurants, cafes, vending machines and online in a bid to prevent childhood obesity, anxiety and disrupted sleep. “High-caffeine energy drinks have no place in children’s hands,” said Katharine Jenner, director of the Obesity Health Alliance, who is in support of the ban. “This is a common-sense, evidence-based step to protect children’s physical, mental, and dental health,” she added. According to ministers, a ban could prevent obesity in up to 40,000 children and help prevent issues…

The Nigerian government has unveiled the Electronic, Online, or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations (Consumer Lending Regulation) 2025, which addresses longstanding complaints concerning the activities of Digital Money Lenders and Mobile Money Operators (MMOs) popularly known as loan sharks. Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs at the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday. Non-compliant operators of the new regulations face sanctions, which include fines of up to N100 million or 1 per cent of turnover, as well as potential disqualification of directors for up to five years. FCCPC said the regulations take effect…

President Bola Tinubu says his government has already met its annual revenue target, months ahead of schedule, and without borrowing. Speaking to members of the Buhari Organisation led by former Nasarawa governor Tanko Al-Makura, Tinubu said non-oil revenues were driving growth, allowing the government to stabilise the naira and avoid reliance on debt. He says that with those gains, Nigeria had no need to fear “whatever Trump is doing on the other side.” Tinubu recalled his early political alliance with former President Muhammadu Buhari, promising to build a “Buhari House” in Abuja as a national monument.

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have issued a stern response to Nyesom Wike and his allies, vowing to uphold discipline in the party and stressing that they will not succumb impunity. Speaking on behalf of the governors, Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, said at the inauguration of the National Convention Planning Committee on Tuesday that they were prepared to confront any attempt to derail the party’s progress. His comments followed renewed threats from Wike’s camp, which has been challenging the party’s National Elective Convention scheduled for November…

Number one Best Workplace in Banking in Nigeria and recognised as Africa’s most agile company, Sterling Bank Limited celebrated the first anniversary of SeaBaas, the revolutionary core banking system designed and built in Africa. In just twelve months since its go-live, SeaBaas has processed over 2 billion transactions, reduced processing times by about 60%, and driven a 66% surge in customer adoption, setting new benchmarks for scale, efficiency, and reliability in financial technology. Since launch, the platform has powered Sterling’s digital ecosystem, OneBank, SterlingPro, Switch, Specta, and more, while enabling fintech integrations, agent banking networks, and third-party solutions. With zero…