Author: Vardiafrica

The Progressives Governors Forum is set for a clash with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike after it rejected his rainbow coalition. Wike, who is a PDP member but has strong affiliation with the APC, has formed what he described as a ‘’Rainbow Coalition” in Rivers state where members of the coalition would work in the interest of both the APC and PDP in Rivers State for the 2027 general election After a closed-door meeting in Abuja on Monday, September 14, the APC chairman of the Forum and governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, announced the forum’s position on such affiliation In…

The Dangote refinery IPO officially opened its initial public offering (IPO) on Monday, offering 4.1 billion ordinary shares at N525 each. The offer will close on October 13, with a minimum subscription of 10 shares at N5,250, according to the IPO terms. If fully subscribed, the offer is expected to raise N2.15 trillion for the expansion operations. Aliko Dangote, president of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), formally opened the offer by sounding the gong at the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) in Lagos on Monday. The IPO is open to retail, institutional, and eligible African investors, according to the offer terms. Speaking at…

President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Paris, France, as he continues his three-week annual leave in Europe. Tinubu arrived in the French capital on Sunday and was received by Nigeria’s Ambassador to France, Emmanuel Ayodele Oke. The President departed Abuja on August 30, 2026, to begin his vacation in London, United Kingdom, before travelling to Paris for the next phase of his leave. Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had announced the vacation in a statement issued on August 30. In the statement, titled “President Tinubu Begins Three-Week Leave,” Onanuga said the President would return…

Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, has taken steps to reduce transnational crimes by strengthening collaboration with Chinese immigration authorities through enhanced intelligence sharing and capacity building.‎‎The partnership is aimed at tackling transnational crimes, improving border management and strengthening the capacity of immigration personnel to respond to emerging security threats.‎‎The decision was taken at the just concluded global Sub-Forum on Migration Management Cooperation held in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province China, with over 2,000 delegates from 139 countries and international organisations present.‎‎The Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap also held a bilateral meeting with the National Immigration administration of China, where both institutions discussed issues…

The pump price of petrol in Abuja has climbed to as high as N1,430 per litre, as marketers adjust their prices following an increase in the ex-depot price by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. The Dangote refinery raised its ex-depot, or gantry, price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N1,265 to N1,350 per litre, triggering a fresh round of pump price adjustments across major filling stations in the capital. On Sunday stations were adjusting prices upward in line with the new benchmark. At MRS filling stations, petrol now sells for N1,395 per litre, up from N1,350. Mobil outlets have raised their…

The National Drug  Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned Nigerians against accepting consolidated cargoes sent from abroad without knowing their full contents, saying some are being contaminated with illicit drugs. The agency said some Nigerians abroad were sending cargoes containing substances such as Colorado and Loud to family members and friends in Nigeria, who were listed as consignees or recipients. The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, raised the alarm in a post on X on Sunday. Babafemi said unsuspecting recipients risked arrest and prosecution if the consignments were found to contain illicit drugs. He wrote: “RED ALERT!…

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has fined RwandAir N15 million over a consumer protection violation involving the airline’s failure to resolve a passenger’s damaged baggage complaint within the stipulated timeframe. Michael Achimugu, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, disclosed the sanction in a post on his X handle. According to Achimugu, the airline was fined for failing to resolve the baggage-related complaint within the timeframe prescribed by Nigeria’s aviation consumer protection regulations. In addition to the N15million fine, the NCAA directed RwandAir to replace the passenger’s damaged bag and pay $170 as first-need compensation.…

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the National Community Food Bank Programme for the South-East geopolitical zone and commissioned a digital skills centre at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State. The initiatives formed part of the First Lady’s official visit to Anambra State, where she was received by Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his wife, Mrs Nonye Soludo, alongside government officials and other stakeholders. The South-East Community Food Bank, unveiled at the Old Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, is part of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), the Nigerian Government’s social intervention programme. The food…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) yesterday launched a technology-powered smart fuelling station at the headquarters of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Abuja, with plans to roll out between 50 and 70 similar facilities across the country within the next six months. Executive Vice President, Downstream, NNPC, Mumuni Dagazau, who disclosed the expansion plan while speaking with journalists shortly after commissioning the facility, described the Abuja station as the first of several smart stations the company plans to establish. This, he said, is part of the moves to transform its traditional filling stations into integrated energy and…

BRICS members and partner countries have begun arriving in New Delhi, India, for the group’s 18th Summit scheduled for 12 and 13 September at Bharat Mandapam. The international geopolitical and economic organisation comprises 11 major emerging markets and developing countries: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed the arrival of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the early hours of Friday. At the same time, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is said to arrive later in the day. Chinese President Xi Jinping will arrive…