Author: Vardiafrica

President Bola Tinubu has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and authorised the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture. The approval was announced in a State House press release issued on Thursday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. According to the Presidency, the expansion is aimed at improving the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army and enhancing the country’s ability to respond to security threats. “This approval underscores the President’s unwavering commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address Nigeria’s evolving…

An aircraft arriving from Enugu skidded off the runway after landing at the Benin Airport on Thursday amid torrential rainfall, but no injuries were recorded. The incident initially sparked concerns of a possible crash, but the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) clarified that the aircraft landed safely before veering off the runway due to the adverse weather conditions. The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, dismissed reports suggesting that the aircraft had crashed. According to him, the incident was not a crash but a runway excursion caused by the heavy rainfall. “The aircraft landed…

NAFDAC has commenced a nationwide enforcement operation to remove alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml from circulation, in line with the Federal Government’s ban on the production, importation, distribution, sale, and use of such products. The exercise, being carried out across the six geopolitical zones, follows the closure of non-compliant manufacturing facilities and is part of NAFDAC’s ongoing efforts to protect public health. NAFDAC enforcement teams are conducting coordinated operations in markets, motor parks, retail outlets, bars, and other distribution channels to identify, seize, and remove banned products from circulation. Manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, transporters,…

The United Kingdom has published an updated list of prohibited and restricted items for travellers entering the country in 2026, warning that customs officers will confiscate banned goods at the border. The revised guidance, issued under the UK’s border and customs regulations, outlines items that are completely prohibited as well as those that require special permits or licences before they can be imported. According to the authorities, the restrictions are designed to protect public safety, public health, the environment and wildlife. Items banned from entering the UK include controlled drugs, offensive weapons such as flick knives, and self-defence sprays like…

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced three men to life imprisonment over their involvement in the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. Justice Salem Ibrahim handed down the sentence after the three defendants pleaded guilty to charges of concealing information about the masterminds of the kidnapping, an incident that attracted widespread national attention. The convicts also admitted to being members of Darul Salam, an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist group Ansaru, during proceedings before the court. In addition, the first and third defendants pleaded guilty to providing training, issuing instructions and…

Confederation of African Football president Dr Patrice Motsepe believes an African side is closer than ever to winning the World Cup and is “confident” the continental will be able to celebrate a winner in the future. Nine of the 10 African nations who participated in the 2026 finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada reached the last 32, with Morocco ousted the quarterfinals by France and as they made the last eight for the second successive edition. “Significant progress and successes were achieved by the African teams at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and I am very proud of…

Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Monday at the Nigerian Content Tower (NCT), Yenagoa, expressed his sense of fulfilment at the enactment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010, and the many benefits that have accrued to Nigeria at the national and community levels since the emergence of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), that has over time assumed the critical role of business enabler. He recalled the enthusiasm and promptness with which he signed the NOGICD Bill into law in April 2010, stating that the inspiration came from a visit to China as head of a trade…

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has declared his support for the Rainbow Coalition, a political movement that comprises members of different political parties in Rivers State, led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Governor Fubara made the declaration during the groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction and equipping of Riven Medical Facility, a public-private sector-driven pharmaceutical factory in the state. He affirmed President Bola Tinubu as his preferred presidential candidate, and Kingsley China as the preferred governorship candidate, urging his supporters to back all candidates on the coalition’s platform in the 2027 elections. Governor Fubara said the…

United States President Donald Trump has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his “decisive leadership” in tackling security challenges across Nigeria, reaffirming Washington’s commitment to supporting the nation’s fight against terrorism.​In an official letter dated July 6, President Trump praised President Tinubu’s resolve to address ongoing violence, particularly attacks targeting vulnerable and religious communities. ​”It is a true honor to stand with you in the fight against these terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous,” President Trump wrote, noting that the bilateral relationship remains crucial amidst rising instability across West Africa. Deepening Security Collaboration…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says lower-denomination naira notes are currently scarce due to growing adoption of digital payments and changing currency demand. Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the CBN, spoke on Tuesday after the monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting in Abuja. Cardodo said the scarcity does not mean the naira notes have ceased to be legal tender. The CBN governor said Nigerians should continue to accept the N100 and N200 notes, adding that the apex bank had not withdrawn any denomination from circulation. “Yes, they remain legal tender. Unless the central bank states otherwise, Nigerians should assume that all…