Author: Vardiafrica

The senate has confirmed Christopher Musa, the immediate past chief of defence staff, as the new defence minister. Musa’s nomination was approved on Wednesday after senators scrutinised his military background and responses to questions on key issues regarding security. Musa assured lawmakers of his commitment to serve Nigeria diligently if confirmed as a minister. “I believe that the challenges we are facing is a Nigerian challenge, not only for the armed forces or security forces, but for everyone working together,” Musa said. “I want to assure you, we will win working together as a team. Even when I was CDS,…

The National Economic Council (NEC) on Wednesday rose from its monthly meeting and approved the sum of N100 billion, subject to a final ratification by President Bola Tinubu, for rehabilitation of training institutions for police and other security agencies in Nigeria. This followed recommendations by the ad hoc committee earlier constituted to assess the state of police and security agencies’ training institution nationwide. At its 154th meeting held virtually, NEC also approved the sum of N2.6 billion for consultancy services for the project. President Tinubu had, at the 152nd meeting of NEC in October, proposed the overhaul and revamp of…

The House of Representatives has urged the federal government to publish the identities of those allegedly financing terrorism and banditry in Nigeria. Lawmakers reached the resolution during Wednesday’s plenary, following the adoption of the report from last week’s security debate, emphasising that naming the financiers is crucial to weakening the networks driving rising insecurity. The demand follows comments from the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, who stated that the federal government is preparing to reveal those sponsoring terrorism in the country. Bwala explained during a TVC interview that the administration is taking “far-reaching decisions”…

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has won the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Transparency and Efficiency Champion Award for the fourth consecutive year. The Board topped the Ease of Doing Business rankings in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.The award was presented on December 2, 2025, at the State House in Abuja. Executive Secretary Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe was represented by Acting Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Omomehin Ajimijaye, who highlighted the Board’s alignment with policy reforms and commitment to management goals.. This recognition underscores the Board’s operational excellence, teamwork, and consistent engagement with partners and industry…

Tension rose in the Senate as lawmakers objected to attempts to conclude the screening of a former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (retd.), as the new Minister of Defence, and allow him to take a bow. Senator Sani Musa of Niger East Senatorial District had urged the Senate to allow the former service chief to take a bow and leave after responding to a few questions. But those opposed to the idea insisted that the ministerial nominee must be subjected to more rigorous questioning. The chamber became rowdy as senators stood in defiance, demanding further engagement with the…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has removed all limits on cash deposits, marking a significant reversal of earlier cash-tightening measures introduced under the previous administration. The apex bank also announced an upward review of the weekly cash withdrawal limit for individuals and businesses, a move designed to ease financial transactions and restore liquidity across the economy. The newly revised rules end a previous special authorisation permitting individuals to withdraw ₦5 million and corporates ₦10 million once monthly. The apex bank explained that previous cash policies had been introduced over the years in response to evolving circumstances. However, with time,…

President Bola Tinubu’s Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has declared that the current Federal Government does not negotiate with bandits and terrorists to secure the release of kidnapped victims. Featuring on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, Bwala said Tinubu’s administration has zero tolerance for negotiation with terrorists because it amounts to sponsoring terrorism. According to Bwala, “There was a time the federal government was negotiating (with terrorists), and I think that el-Rufai (the former Kaduna governor) once talked about a national policy at that time, when they said both states and the federal government can be in a situation where…

The Kabiru Turaki-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has stated that the party has yet to receive any official communication from Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke concerning his resignation. Adeleke had announced on Tuesday that he was leaving the PDP, citing the party’s ongoing internal disputes as the reason for his decision. After the National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Abuja, Turaki told journalists that Adeleke is fully entitled under the constitution to either stay in the PDP or step away, emphasizing that the decision rests solely with the governor. Turaki added that the PDP became aware of Adeleke’s resignation only…

President Bola Tinubu has demanded greater efficiency in strategies and result in the ongoing fight against insecurity in some part of Nigeria The president made the demand when he met with heads of intelligence agencies and service chiefs at the state house. The meeting on Tuesday lasted more than an hour behind closed doors in the office of the President at the State House Abuja. In an interview after the meeting, the Chief of Defense Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede revealed that the meeting was quite engaging as the President gave new direction and directives intended to achieve better result in…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday issued expulsion certificates to 11 party chieftains, including the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike. On November 15, the opposition party had announced the suspension of Wike, former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose; former National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu; former National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature; ex-National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade and former lawmaker, Mao Ohuabunwa. Also suspended were former Imo state PDP Chairman, Austine Nwachukwu; former Abia state PDP chairman, Amah Nnanna Abraham; former National Vice-Chairman (South-South), Dan Orbih; and Turnah George. Briefing journalists in Abuja, the Kabiru Turaki-led national working committee (NWC)…