Author: Vardiafrica

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday began the mass trial of suspected terrorists charged with terrorism offences. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the trial, which usually takes place at Kainji in Niger, was moved to the Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja since the court is currently on Easter vacation. The vacation, which commences on Tuesday, April 7, will end on April 13, and regular court sittings will resume on Tuesday, April 14, across all divisions of the court. Another 20 suspected terrorists facing trial before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in…

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) said it is carrying out an investigation into an alleged data breach involving Remita Payment Services Ltd., Sterling Bank and other entities. A statement on Sunday issued by Babatunde Bamigboye, Head, Legal, Enforcement & Regulations, NDPC, saidin line with the Commission’s procedure, Notice of Investigation was duly served on the 1st of April, 2026. Bamigboye said relevant parties and individuals have been providing information for the purpose of addressing the incident. “The aim of the investigation is to ensure that data subjects are protected with appropriate technical and organisational measures. “The investigation by NDPC…

President Bola Tinubu has approved a ₦3.3 trillion payment plan aimed at settling long-standing debts in Nigeria’s power sector, in a move expected to improve electricity supply and restore investor confidence. The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. According to the statement, the approval followed a final review of legacy debts accumulated under the Presidential Power Sector Financial Reforms Programme over 10 years, spanning February 2015 to March 2025. “Following verification, ₦3.3 trillion has been agreed as a full and final settlement, ensuring a…

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has announced that Engr. Tony Attah, Managing Director of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited will speak at the next edition of the Nigerian Content Academy Lecture Series. The lecture will hold virtually on Thursday, April 9, 2026, by 10am, and the renowned industry expert will speak on “Finding Funds for Effective & Efficient Local Content Initiatives – IPPG Perspective.” Engr. Attah, who served previously as the Managing Director of Nigeria LNG Limited and Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) will bring his wealth of experience to bear on…

Airtel has announced that it has surpassed 650 million mobile subscribers globally, becoming the second-largest telecommunications operator in the world by customer base. Airtel made this known in a statement on Saturday, April 4, 2026. It said the milestone reflected a network of immense scale, with the capacity to serve diverse markets with consistent quality and deliver customer experience driven by sustained innovation. The company disclosed that in Nigeria, it had significantly expanded its network infrastructure over the past three years, increasing its site count from just above 13,000 to nearly 17,200. It added that more than 1,560 sites were…

Speaking during a three-day Performance Management System training for Directors and Change Champions in Port Harcourt, the NDDC Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr Patterson Ogon, stated that the training marks the start of a series of sessions aimed at enhancing overall efficiency and accountability in the Commission. He explained: “This training serves as a foundational step in the transformative journey initiated by the federal government to introduce PMS across all ministries, departments, and agencies. It is essential for fostering accountability, transparency, and result-oriented governance in the public sector.” Ogon highlighted the crucial role of PMS in delivering improved…

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and development finance giants Bank of Industry (BoI) and Nigerian Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank, on Tuesday in Warri, Delta State, engaged oil and gas industry stakeholders in a well-attended sensitisation workshop to raise awareness on available funding mechanisms and requirements as well as business opportunities in the sector. Themed “Deepening Local Content through Certificates, Compliance and Financial Support,” the Workshop had as highlight the unveiling of the Nigerian Content Fund Compliance Certificate (NCFCC) Portal. It addressed critical issues, such as the Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF) and the Revised Community Contractors Financing Scheme,…

Cameroon’s president, Paul Biya, is set to get a vice president for the first time in his four-decade rule, following controversial constitutional changes backed by the parliament. In a ‌joint session of the ruling party-dominated National Assembly and Senate, lawmakers voted 200 to 18 in favour, with four abstentions, to pass the bill. The bill stipulates that the vice president will ​automatically assume the presidency if President Paul Biya dies, resigns, or becomes incapacitated. Biya, ​93, has led the Central African country since 1982 and is the world’s oldest serving head of state. Public discussion about ​his health is banned.…

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says there is a standing agreement within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to back whoever emerges as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 elections, despite the ongoing leadership crisis rocking the party. Speaking in a viral DW Hausa interview, Atiku addressed tensions within the party following the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to de-recognise factions led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala Gombe. The electoral body said it would not engage either group pending the resolution of a case before the federal high court. Amid the uncertainty, Atiku insisted that unity remains…

US President Donald Trump has warned Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz or risk “hell reigning down” on the Arabian nation. Trump’s comments, contained in a Truth Social post on Saturday, are a resumption of his threats to Iran last month over the closure of the waterway. “Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out – 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them. Glory be to GOD!” the US president wrote. Earlier in March, Tehran said the strait, one of the world’s busiest oil shipping…