Author: Vardiafrica

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a stern warning to political parties and their members to cease premature public campaigns for the 2027 general election, labeling such actions as a gross violation of the Electoral Act 2022.  The commission’s directive comes amid growing concerns over the proliferation of political posters, subtle endorsements, and heated verbal exchanges among political figures, which INEC deems inappropriate given the absence of an official election timetable. In a statement to The Nation, a senior INEC source revealed that the commission raised the issue during its most recent quarterly consultative meeting with party leaders…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has increased the pump price of premium motor spirit across its retail outlets. It was gathered that NNPCL retail outlets in Abuja have adjusted their fuel pump price to N955 per litre from N890. This is the case in NNPCL retail outlets along Kubwa Expressway, Wuse and other parts of Abuja. Similarly, the pump price hike has been implemented at filling stations in Kogi and Nasarawa. This means that the petrol pump price was increased by N65. This comes after independent petroleum product marketers and filling station owners in Abuja increased petrol pump…

The Federal Government has rewarded D’Tigress, Nigeria’s female basketball team, with Order of the Niger (OON) national honours, with each of the players getting $100,000 and a flat. Members of the Coach Rena Makama-led technical team also got $50,000 each. This was announced when President Bola Tinubu hosted the team on Monday evening following the team’s unprecedented fifth consecutive #AfroBasketWomen victory. At the reception in Abuja, the president was represented by his wife, Senator Remi Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. Last week, the President conferred similar national honours and gifts on the Super Falcons for winning Nigeria’s 10th title of the Women’s…

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has signed a $1.35 billion financing agreement to support the refinancing of debt incurred during the construction of the Dangote Refinery. The deal is part of a $4 billion loan package for Dangote Industries Limited. In a statement released by the bank, the financing will be used to repay outstanding costs linked to the development of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals complex, Africa’s largest single-train refinery, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. Speaking on agreement, Professor Benedict Oramah, president and chairman of Afreximbank, said: “With this landmark deal, we once again demonstrate…

Nigeria’s D’Tigress have returned to the country following their historic fifth consecutive title win at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The women’s basketball team landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Monday aboard two chartered flights conveying both players and officials. On the ground to receive the team were officials of the National Sports Commission, the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Association of Nigerian Women in Sports, and a handful of supporters. They brought home not only the championship trophy but also an unprecedented achievement in African women’s basketball. D’Tigress…

Senator Oluremi Tinubu has commended D’Tigress, Nigeria’s female basketball team on their unprecedented fifth consecutive #AfroBasketWomen title, becoming the first African country to achieve this feat. “You are true inspirations and pride to girls and women in general. Thank you for keeping the Nigerian flag flying,” the wife of President Bola Tinubu said in a statement late Sunday.In the final on Sunday, Nigeria edged out Mali 78-64 in a tense showdown, displaying resilience and composure to claim their seventh AfroBasket title. They have dominated African women’s basketball, winning their 29th consecutive game without a single loss since 2015. As with…

Nigeria’s Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned of widespread thunderstorms and heavy rains across the country beginning Monday, raising fears of flash floods in several states. The three‑day forecast, released Sunday in Abuja, signals heightened risks as the nation enters a critical phase of the rainy season. The agency predicted morning thunderstorms on Monday in the northern states of Adamawa, Taraba, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kano and Katsina, with conditions expected to intensify later in the day. “There is a high possibility of flood occurring over parts of Adamawa, Taraba and Bauchi states during the forecast period,” NiMet said in its statement.…

Nigeria’s D’Tigress have made history by winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive #AfroBasketWomen title, becoming the first African country to achieve this feat. Nigeria edged out Mali 78-64 in a tense showdown, displaying resilience and composure to claim their seventh AfroBasket title They have dominated African women’s basketball, winning their 29th consecutive game without a single loss since 2015. As with most of their early games in the tournament, Nigeria got off to a slow start. However, spurred by Mali’s intensity, Rena Wakama’s side regrouped in the second quarter and headed into halftime with the scores level at 41–41. To qualify…

Senegal has announced a significant change to its immigration policy by introducing an electronic visa (e-visa) system that specifically targets non-African nationals. Senegal introduces E-Visa payment requirement for non-African travelers The country’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko confirmed that visitors from outside the African continent would now be required to pay their visa application fees online in advance. According to Sputnik Afrique, the reform was introduced as part of ongoing efforts to modernise and secure the country’s migration infrastructure. Officials stated that the measure would strengthen administrative security, limit potential abuse, and simplify procedures for Senegalese migration services. The new measure will also help…

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered a sophisticated drug trafficking operation involving the concealment of cocaine and tramadol in 71 vehicle side mirrors destined for Libreville, Gabon, through the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos. According to a statement issued on Sunday by NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, a total of three suspects have been arrested in connection with the illegal shipment. The initial discovery on July 19 led to the interception of 57,420 pills of tramadol 225mg and 57 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.60kg in cargo booked on Air Côte…