Author: Vardiafrica

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately vacate the court order freezing the bank accounts of the Osun state government. In a personally signed statement on Thursday, Tinubu said he was embarrassed by the development because actions taken by federal institutions are often attributed to the presidency, even when he has no prior knowledge of them. He said although the anti-graft agency acted within its statutory powers by obtaining a court order, the timing of the action, days before the August 15 governorship election in Osun, was inappropriate. “It has come to my notice that the Economic…

The Nigerian Army has declared the governor of Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa-Wali, and his deputy, Amirul Jaish Muhammad Jidda, wanted. The terrorists were declared wanted following their identification from technical devices obtained during a recent offensive against the terrorist group in the Lake Chad region. Captain Muhammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer for Northeast Joint Taskforce Operation Hadin Kai, confirmed this in a statement on Wednesday. According to him, their identities were discovered through forensic analysis of the retrieved gadgets, which included high-value intelligence materials and a camcorder. The statement reads, “Operation Hadin…

Fifteen years after the Employees’ Compensation Act was signed into law, the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) on Tuesday presented the first compensation cheques worth N31,720,570.5 million directly to five beneficiaries from treasury-funded Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). The maiden presentation held in Abuja brought together families who lost loved ones or suffered workplace injuries in the course of public service. Managing Director and Chief Executive of NSITF, Mr Oluwaseun Faleye, said the event was not ceremonial but the fulfilment of a legal promise. “We are not here for a ceremony. We are here to keep a promise,” Faleye told beneficiaries,…

For thousands of young Nigerians dreaming of contributing to the nation’s energy future, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is once again opening a door to opportunity through its Annual National Undergraduate Essay Competition. The Board has announced that entries for the 10th edition of the prestigious competition will open on August 15, inviting undergraduate students in 100 and 200 levels from Nigerian universities, polytechnics and colleges of education to showcase their ideas on strengthening local content development. This year’s essay topic, “Promoting Manufacturing for Sustainable Local Content Development,” challenges students to examine how Nigeria can build stronger local manufacturing capacity…

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of directing the freezing of a state government account domiciled with a commercial bank, 10 days before the August 15 governorship election. The account, reportedly used for the payment of workers’ salaries, was allegedly placed on “Post No Debit” status by the anti-graft agency, according to documents cited in reports on the development. The allegation came hours after the state government, in a statement on its official website, raised concerns that the EFCC was planning to freeze the state’s accounts and those of some top government…

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has disclosed that the federal government will, in a matter of weeks, roll out a 90,000-kilometre fibre optic network nationwide. He described it as one of the country’s most ambitious digital infrastructure projects targeted at transforming broadband connectivity across the country. Tijani, who spoke with newsmen yesterday after briefing President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on the progress of three flagship digital projects being implemented by his ministry, said government had completed the resource mobilisation and contractual processes required for the fibre project and was ready to begin…

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Tuesday expressed optimism that its planned nationwide strike could be averted following a meeting with the Federal Government. Its President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, said this after a meeting convened by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. The meeting was convened to address the doctors’ grievances ahead of the August 10, 2026 strike deadline. The meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja was attended by the Ministers of Health, Labour, and Finance; Director-General of the Budget Office; officials of the Office of the Accountant-General and IPPIS; and other relevant agencies. Suleiman…

President Bola Tinubu has approved salary increases of between 30 and 80 per cent for Nigeria’s armed forces personnel. About 250,000 personnel are to benefit from the new deal. Under the new arrangement, which becomes effective from September 1, officers above the rank of colonel will enjoy a 30 per cent salary increase. This applies to Brigadier-Generals, Major-Generals, Lieutenant Generals and Generals. Personnel from colonel down to warrant officer will have a 50 per cent increase, while Private to Staff Sergeant will have an 80 per cent increase. The pay package will increase the yearly salary bill for the country’s…

In a move to provide a new financing solution to the Nigerian oil and gas service sector, and accelerate local content growth, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB)and theBank of Industry (BOI) on Friday in Lagos inaugurated the Investment Committee of the Nigerian Content Equity Fund (NCEF) – a groundbreaking $100 million financing product designed to avail long-term financing to service companies and provide access to funds in exchange for equity rather than traditional debt instruments. The committee was inaugurated by the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, setting the stage for the rollout of the pioneering financing window under the…

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has warned some aviation unions against disrupting flight operations over the ongoing dispute on ticket service charge (TSC) remittances. The warning follows a fresh seven-day ultimatum issued by the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), directing airline operators to remit outstanding 5 percent ticket service charges owed to aviation agencies. The unions had said the continued non-remittance of the charges has deprived aviation agencies of critical funding needed to maintain the safety of Nigeria’s airspace while also affecting the welfare of workers. Responding in…