Author: Vardiafrica

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has said that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is considering former President Goodluck Jonathan and Peter Obi for its presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections. Mohammed made this known on Thursday while responding to questions in an interview on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television. The chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum said the party is open to celebrated politicians who can make an impact on its presidential ambition. When asked if the PDP had approached Obi, the Bauchi governor said, “Of course, he’s one of the most celebrated politicians too.…

Federal Government has assured Nigerians that passports will now be delivered within one week of enrolment, following sweeping reforms in the issuance process. Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, gave the assurance on Thursday in Abuja during the ministry’s mid tenure performance retreat. He said, “Our target is very clear: within one week of enrolment, every Nigerian should have their passport in hand. “Not just delivering quickly, but delivering quality passports that reflect our integrity as a nation.” He noted that the new system was designed to eliminate long delays and extortion that once forced citizens to wait six to…

Foreign students and journalists may soon face shorter stays in the United States under a proposed law by the Donald Trump administration. According to a Wednesday statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the law seeks to curb “visa abuse” and increase the agency’s ability to “properly vet” visitors. If finalised, international students would have a four-year cap on their visas, replacing the current “duration of status” system, which allows indefinite stays as long as the student remains enrolled. Justifying the move, the DHS said foreign students have taken advantage of US generosity to become “forever” students, perpetually enrolled…

The Ethiopian government says it has signed a $2.5 billion fertiliser complex shareholder investment agreement with Dangote Group. In a statement on Thursday, Abiy Ahmed Ali, the Ethiopian prime minister, said the mega project will produce about three million metric tons of fertiliser every year. “Congratulations to all Ethiopians on another milestone in our journey toward food security and agricultural transformation. Today, we signed the Fertilizer Complex Shareholder Investment Agreement between Ethiopian Investment Holdings and Dangote Group,” he said. “With an investment of $2.5 billion, this mega project will produce up to 3 million metric tons of fertilizer annually, placing…

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced an upward review of fees for the Nigerian standard passport. In a statement issued on Thursday, ACI AS Akinlabi, service public relations officer of the NIS, said the new fees apply only to passport applications made within Nigeria — and will take effect from September 1. “The review which only affect Passport Application fees made in Nigeria, now set a new fee thresholds for 32-page with 5-year validity at N100,000 and 64-page with 10-year validity at N200,000,” the statement reads. The statement added that passport application fees for Nigerians in the diaspora will…

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday returned to Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, after a two-week official trip to Japan and Brazil. The president’s jet landed at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, at 01:20 am. Upon his return, Tinubu was received by top government officials, including the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike; the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; ministers and special advisers. The president left Abuja on Friday, August 15, 2025, and stopped over in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, before proceeding to…

Seven migrants were transferred from the United States to Rwanda in August under a deportation agreement with the U.S., authorities in the East African country said Thursday. Rwanda said earlier in August it would accept up to 250 deportees from the U.S.Yolande Makolo, a spokeswoman for the Rwandan government, said in a statement that the “first group of seven vetted migrants arrived in Rwanda in mid-August.” READ MORE: Rwanda agrees to take deportees from the US after a previous migrant deal with the UK collapsed Rwanda is one of four African countries that have reached deportation agreements with Washington, The others…

South Korea has approved a nationwide ban on mobile phones in school classrooms, joining other nations in efforts to reduce social media use among minors. Officials announced Thursday, August 28 that the bill, passed by the National Assembly on Wednesday, will take effect in March next year. The law prohibits smartphones and other smart devices in classrooms, except when used for educational purposes or as assistive tools for students with disabilities or special learning needs. The Education Ministry stated that the measure aims to protect students’ right to learn and support teachers in maintaining focus during lessons. Lawmakers highlighted that…

Former Rivers State Governor and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rotimi Amaechi, has dismissed reports claiming he plans to forgo his presidential ambition in 2027 under the platform of the ADC. Amaechi, who also served as Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation from 2015 to 2022, stated this during an interaction with journalists in Kano after a meeting with a coalition of traders in the state. He insisted that the ADC primary election must be open, stressing that he would not step aside for any aspirant. In an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Amaechi said “I will contest the…

China has donated one million dollars to Nigeria in support of people affected by the recent devastating floods across the country. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the support was provided at a ceremony for the signing of exchange of notes with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to formalise the cash assistance grant in Abuja on Wednesday. Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Yu Dunhai, expressed China’s solidarity with Nigeria “during this difficult time”, noting that both countries have recently faced natural disasters. “We would like to express our deep condolences for the people who lost their lives…