Author: Vardiafrica

The Federal Government says Nigeria has received Long-Acting Injectable Lenacapavir for HIV prevention, marking a significant advancement in the country’s efforts to curb new infections. Dr Adebobola Bashorun, Director and National Coordinator, National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP) of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare disclosed this in a statement in Abuja. Bashorun said the injectable drug, known as Lenacapavir (LEN), arrived in the country on Tuesday for use as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). He said the development was approved by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate and supported through funding…

CBN directs Banks and fintechs to deploy anti-money laundering toolsanks and fintechs to deploy an anti-money laundering tool that detects suspicious transactions and financial fraud in real-time.  This is contained in a circular released on Tuesday by the Apex Bank titled Issuance of Baseline Standards for Automated Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Solution for Financial Institutions in Nigeria. CBN explained that the framework forms part of the process to combat financial terrorism, fraudulent activities and the susceptibility of the ecosystem to financial crime. Also, the initiative is an opportunity for institutions to use emerging technologies in combating financial crime risk management. In addition, the…

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Lamido Yuguda as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), pending confirmation by the Senate. The nomination, announced on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, was made in accordance with Section 8(1) of the CBN Act, 2007. According to the statement, Yuguda’s appointment follows the elevation of the former Deputy Governor, Bala Bello, who was recently named Special Adviser to the President on Political Economy. “President Tinubu expects the appointee to bring renewed dedication, professionalism, and commitment to Nigeria’s economic stability and growth,” Onanuga stated.…

The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Taiwo Oyedele as a minister-designate under the administration of President Bola Tinubu. The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, announced the confirmation after lawmakers cleared the nominee through a voice vote at the Committee of the Whole. Oyedele is expected to replace Mrs Doris Uzoka-Anite as Minister of State for Finance. The confirmation of the outgoing chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, followed his screening by the lawmakers on Wednesday. Senators spent over two hours grilling the nominee before eventually confirming him as a minister-designate. Answering questions from the…

The federal government on Wednesday, March 11, launched a new initiative to connect schools across Nigeria to reliable internet services, aiming to expand digital learning and integrate modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, into the country’s education system. The initiative follows a directive by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to accelerate the expansion of national digital infrastructure and ensure that key sectors, particularly education, benefit from ongoing broadband and telecommunications investments. To drive the plan, the minister of education, Maruf Alausa, and the minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, Bosun Tijani, met in Abuja with key stakeholders to coordinate efforts between both ministries…

The Federal Government has suspended the issuance of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol import licenses for a second straight month. This is as regulators begin enforcing provisions of ​the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) that allow imports only when domestic supply falls short. Data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), no import licenses were issued in February, while the Crude Oil Refineries Association of ​Nigeria (CORAN) confirmed to Reuters that none has been issued so far in March, signalling ​a shift towards prioritising local output. The shift highlights a stronger ⁠intent by FG to protect domestic…

Iran’s sports minister said there is no way that the nation’s soccer team will compete in this summer’s FIFA World Cup in North America. Ahmad Donyamali addressed the situation in the wake of combined American and Israeli attacks against his Middle East nation in an interview with state television. ‘Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup. Our children are not safe, and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist,’ he said, per CBS Sports. ‘Given the malicious actions they have carried out against Iran, they have forced…

Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd), has summoned all the Service Chiefs to his office for a crucial meeting over recent attacks on different military bases in the North East. Those currently attending the meeting at the Headquarters of Ministry of Defence, Abuja, include the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Olufemi Oluyede and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu.Others include the Chief of Air Staff, Sunday Aneke, an Air Marshal; Chief of Naval Staff, Idi Abass, a Vice Admiral; representatives of National Intelligence Agency among others. Daily Trust reports that no fewer than three Commanding Officers who…

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate deployment of about 100,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) conversion kits across Nigeria as part of efforts to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices. Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG), Ismaeel Ahmed, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing State House correspondents after a meeting with President Tinubu at the presidential villa in Abuja. Ahmed said the President issued a direct mandate for the rapid rollout of the kits to accelerate the conversion of vehicles and tricycles to run on gas, making transportation more affordable for Nigerians. The directive…

The Federal Government has launched a public consultation to gather citizens’ views on measures aimed at protecting children online, including the possibility of setting minimum age limits for social media use. The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, announced the initiative on Tuesday, noting that while the internet provides valuable opportunities for learning and communication, it also exposes children to significant risks. In a post shared on his official X account, the minister said the consultation is part of the government’s efforts to develop policies that ensure safer digital environments for young Nigerians. “While the internet offers significant…