Author: Vardiafrica

Atiku Abubakar, a former vice-president, says the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition will be unrelenting in defending the rights of Nigerians. Abubakar spoke during meetings with Aminu Tambuwal, senator representing Sokoto south; and Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation, on Monday. In an X post, he noted that opposition leaders are working to rescue democracy in Nigeria. “We will be unrelenting in defending the rights of every Nigerian being harassed by anti-democratic forces of the Tinubu-led APC administration,” Abubakar said. “The coalition that we are pushing is aimed at rescuing our democracy from the stranglehold of this emerging dictatorship. We shall…

The former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Prof. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu has canvassed that the $450m Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCI Fund) be increased to US$1bn, to cater for the funding of mega of oil and gas projects, setting up of pipe mills and manufacturing of other critical equipment needed in the oil and gas sector. He also recommended that oil and gas producing companies should provide timelines for developing oil and gas blocks, same condition for firms that win industry contracts based on commitments of investments.He made these recommendations and dwelt on similar issues on Monday at the…

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Bayelsa State Office, on Wednesday in Yenagoa, pledged to deepen collaboration in human capacity Development (HCD), just as the Board was proclaimed Best-in-Training Contribution by the Fund. The Executive Secretary of the Board, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, speaking through the General Manager, Human Capacity Development (HCD), Barr. Esueme Dan Kikile, welcomed the ITF Management team, led by the Area Manager, Mrs. Oluwatosin Akingbola, to the Nigerian Content Tower (NCT), noting that the similarities in their respective mandates was a compelling ground for close collaboration. He recalled…

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) said it has rejected the Federal Government’s planned five per cent tax on petroleum products, describing it as a “reckless proposal” which is “nothing but an act of economic wickedness against already overburdened Nigerians”. The union said that the government policy, if implemented, would compound suffering, cripple businesses, and push millions of citizens deeper into poverty. It stated that the Federal Government cannot continue to use Nigerians as sacrificial lambs for its economic experiments. “Let it be clear: workers and citizens are still reeling from the pains of subsidy removal, skyrocketing fuel prices,…

Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, has said that the oil industry is too vital to Nigeria’s economy to be subjected to industrial unrest or corporate policies that threaten peace and stability. Dingyadi stated this in his opening remark at the commencement of a conciliation meeting convened by the Federal Government to end the nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) against the Dangote Group. The meeting, which commenced at about 5:15 p.m., was attended by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, senior officials of the Ministry,…

The Department of State Service (DSS) has issued a one-week ultimatum to human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, demanding the retraction of what it described as a “false, malicious, and inciting” social media post about President Bola Tinubu. In a letter dated September 7, the service accused the human rights activist of making criminal and derogatory remarks against the President in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on August 26. DSS warned that failure by Sowore to comply with its demands will force it to “explore all lawful means” to protect national security and public order. Sowore, a former presidential candidate…

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has expressed concerns over Nigeria’s rising debt profile, warning that the country has exceeded its statutory threshold and now faces a serious threat to fiscal sustainability. Speaking on Monday at the opening of the 11th Annual Conference and General Assembly of the West Africa Association of Public Accounts Committees (WAAPAC) at the National Assembly, Abuja, Abbas said Nigeria’s debt under President Bola Tinubu had reached “a critical point” and called for urgent reforms in borrowing practices and parliamentary oversight. He described the breach of the debt limit as “a signal of…

The Second Africa Climate Summit opened Monday in Addis Ababa with a call from leaders to move from rhetoric to action, casting Africa not as a victim of climate change but as a driver of solutions and the next global climate economy. Opening the summit, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed urged partners to replace aid with investment. “Too often, Africa’s story at climate summits begins with what we lack: finance, technology, (and) time. Let us begin instead with what we have,” Abiy said, pointing to Africa’s young population, vast arable land, and the fastest-growing solar belt on Earth. He highlighted…

‎The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has tied the prospect of lower lending rates to a continued decline in inflation, saying the Bank’s policy reforms are already restoring stability to the financial system. ‎Governor Olayemi Cardoso made this clear at the European Business Chamber (Eurocham Nigeria) C-Level Forum in Lagos on Saturday. Speaking during a fireside chat moderated by Andreas Voss, Chief Country Representative of Deutsche Bank Nigeria, he said inflation, though still high, is on a downward trend due to collective efforts. ‎In a statement on Sunday, he explained that as inflation continues to ease, interest rates are expected…

The Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) has approved a de minimis threshold value for low-value consignment imported through express shipments or by passenger baggage. The decision, which takes effect on Monday, September 8, 2025, was reached at its 63rd regular meeting held on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun. The board said that the approval aligns with the best global practices that aim to simplify clearance processes for low-value consignments, enhance trade facilitation, and provide clarity for e-commerce stakeholders and travellers. The de minimis threshold is the…