Author: Vardiafrica

The United States has temporarily halted the scheduling of new student visa interviews at embassies and consulates worldwide, as part of a broader move to introduce stricter social media screening for foreign applicants. In a diplomatic cable issued Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio instructed U.S. missions globally to pause all new appointments for F, M, and J category visas, which cover international students and exchange visitors, pending further guidance from Washington. “Effective immediately… consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued,” the cable read. Tighter screening process This latest…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has restated its commitment to prioritising the well-being of children in the Niger Delta region, focusing on social bonding and inclusion. The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stated this during the commemoration of the International Children’s Day at the NDDC Event Centre in Port Harcourt. Ogbuku, who was represented by the NDDC Deputy Director of Education, Health, and Social Services, Mrs. Chioma Nwakwue, stated that beyond infrastructural development, the Commission emphasises human capital development. He stressed: “We, at the NDDC, are passionate about our children in the region, and we are committed to…

Leading construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, has begun withdrawing its services from some project sites in Rivers State, following shortfalls in the periodical project cost payments by the state government. This was according to an online report, which quoted an insider at Julius Berger Nigeria as saying that the company has “reportedly withdrawn from several major project sites across Rivers State.” He linked the development to the failure of the state’s Sole Administrator to continue funding ongoing projects despite receiving regular federal allocations and substantial Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). The report further disclosed that many of the company’s workers have been…

President Bola Tinubu has written to the senate, requesting approval for a new external borrowing plan totalling over $21.5 billion. Tinubu is also seeking the red chamber’s green light to issue federal government bonds worth N757.9 billion to settle outstanding pension liabilities under the contributory pension scheme (CPS). The request was contained in two separate letters read during plenary on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Tinubu said the proposed external borrowing is part of the federal government’s 2025–2026 borrowing plan, which focuses on key sectors of the economy. “The 2025–2026 borrowing plan covers all sectors, with specific emphasis on…

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has revealed that a probe into the technical error in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is underway. NDPC head of media unit, Itunu Dosekun, said the investigation is to determine the extent to which the personal data of candidates may have been exposed and whether JAMB or its partners violated data protection laws. Speaking in a statement on Tuesday, he added that the breach raises concerns about the adequacy of technical and organisational safeguards at some examination centres. “The commission has initiated a full-scale investigation into the alleged breach at the Joint…

The federal government has issued a directive mandating examination bodies to clamp down on “miracle centres”. Miracle centres, so-called in local parlance, are facilities notorious for aiding examination malpractice at the secondary school level. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), in a statement on Tuesday, said Tunji Alausa, the minister of education, has ordered a crackdown on schools or computer-based test centres that conduct mass malpractice. The new policy, JAMB’s communications advisor Fabian Benjamin said, holds that such centres would be derecognised for some years, as determined by the relevant examination body. Benjamin said other examination bodies (including WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB)…

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) have both agreed to forge an alliance aiming at developing the nation’s Marine and Blue Economy sector, with plans to ensure expansion of Nigeria’s export operations. President of the Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, while speaking on Monday, May 26, during a courtesy call to the NPA headquarters in Lagos, explained that as the biggest customer to the NPA, it is important that the interaction between NPA and DIL is sustained. Dangote said, “We are here to thank the NPA for doing a great job, because as we speak…

Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno, says no local government area in the state will be allowed to fall into the hands of insurgents. Zulum spoke on Monday while addressing journalists after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja. The governor said the meeting was to brief the president on the security challenges in Borno and other parts of northern Nigeria. “Things are not getting very well in northern Nigeria, particularly in the north-east,” he said. Zulum said insurgents have recently stepped up attacks in the state, targeting military formations and civilian populations. He said the…

Today, May 26, 2025, we commenced enforcement on the 4,794 properties revoked for non-payment of Ground Rent, from 10 to 43 years. Properties owned by government institutions, corporate organisations and individuals were affected. This demonstrates the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s commitment to carrying out its functions without fear or favour. However, the President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has intervened. Therefore, by Mr. President’s intervention, holders of the affected properties now have 14 days (TWO WEEKS) to settle the outstanding Ground Rents, with associated penalties. For properties in the Central Area, the sum of N5 million will be paid…

The acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has called the sealing of the party’s office by the Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) the height of irresponsibility. Damagun said this on Monday while addressing the crowd following the adjournment of the crucial meeting of the national caucus of the opposition party. “As you can see, we have adjourned our meeting for today until tomorrow (Tuesday) by 10am. We will address you properly by the time we conclude our meeting tomorrow,” Damagun said. “I know you are also aware that our office in Abuja has been sealed. This…