Author: Vardiafrica

The African Union has unveiled a US$30 billion investment plan to modernize aviation infrastructure across the continent under the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), as part of efforts to accelerate economic integration and sustainable growth. Announcing the plan at the Third Financing Summit for Africa’s Infrastructure Development in Luanda, AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy Lerato Mataboge said the aviation sector is a strategic driver of continental integration and a key enabler of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Agenda 2063. “Aviation is not merely a mode of transport; it is an engine of integration and a…

The Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, made an unscheduled visit to a training centre in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where selected youths from the Niger Delta region are currently undergoing a 21-day intensive training on Fire Alarm and CCTV Installation. The training, which commenced on October 6, 2025, is one of the numerous human capacity development initiatives sponsored by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) aimed at equipping young Nigerians with practical technical skills. During the visit, Hon. Ekpo stated that his decision to visit the centre was to encourage the trainees…

President Bola Tinubu has decorated the newly appointed service chiefs with their new ranks. The short ceremony took place in the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The new Chief of Defence Staff, (formerly Lieutenant General) Olufemi Oluyede, was decorated with the new rank of General. The new Chief of Army Staff, (formerly Major General) Wahidi Shaibu, was decorated with the rank of Lieutenant General, the Chief of Naval Staff, (formerly Rear Admiral) Idi Abbas, was decorated as Vice Admiral, while the Chief of Air Staff, (formerly Air Vice Marshal) Kelvin Aneke, was decorated with the rank of Air…

The Senate has confirmed Bernard Doro as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria following a brief screening session that lasted less than 30 minutes. Doro, who becomes the third ministerial nominee from Plateau State, used the opportunity to outline his vision for fostering an inclusive humanitarian ecosystem in the country. He promised to create a humanitarian ecosystem that is inclusive, guided by impartiality and independence. Doro told lawmakers during his appearance that he will create synergy between security agencies to better target the individuals affected by crises, which he notes is always a challenge. He believes technology can…

Rivers Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has pledged his administration’s full support to collaborate with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to create jobs and empower youth and women across the state. Governor Fubara made the pledge on Thursday when he received the Director-General of the NDE, Silas Agara, and his delegation on a courtesy visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. The governor said his administration would work closely with the NDE to ensure that the various employment and empowerment programmes of the Federal Government reach more people in Rivers State. He noted that President Bola Tinubu’s efforts…

The Federal Government has released ₦2.3 billion for Batch 8 salary and promotion arrears to universities across the country, with staff expected to receive payments immediately. A statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, quotes the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, as saying the disbursement was processed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), reflecting the Tinubu Administration’s commitment to clearing inherited backlogs and improving staff welfare in tertiary institutions. Dr. Alausa added that the Ministry of Finance and the OAGF are finalizing the release of third party non statutory deductions and…

President Samia Suluhu Hassan had sought to solidify her position and silence criticism within her party in the virtually uncontested polls, with the main challengers either jailed or disqualified. In the run-up, rights groups condemned a “wave of terror” in the east African nation, which has seen a string of high-profile abductions that ramped up in the final days. A heavy security presence on Wednesday failed to deter hundreds protesting in economic hub Dar es Salaam and elsewhere, some singing: “We want our country back.” Unverified images on social media showed initially small protests escalated during the day with reports of police…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) on Wednesday announced that it has begun a detailed review of Nigeria’s three petroleum refineries, with a view to bringing them back online. In a post on his verified personal X handle Wednesday night, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the national oil company, Bayo Ojulari, stated that one of the options being explored by the NNPC is to search for technical equity partners to ‘high-grade or repurpose’ the facilities. Tagged: “Update on Our Refineries”, Ojulari stated that the NNPC continues to remain optimistic that the refineries will operate efficiently, despite current setbacks.…

President Donald Trump has called on US military leaders to resume testing nuclear weapons in order to keep pace with other countries such as Russia and China. “Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis,” he wrote on social media just before meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. The US has more nuclear weapons than any other country, Trump said, with Russia second and China a “distant third”. It has not conducted nuclear testing since 1992. It comes just days after Trump…

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has directed banks, stockbrokers, and other financial institutions to begin deducting a 10% withholding tax on interest earned from short-term securities. According to a circular issued by the agency on Tuesday, October 28, the new directive covers interest on treasury bills, corporate bonds, promissory notes, and bills of exchange, with the tax to be deducted at the point of payment. This development represents a major policy shift, as such instruments were previously exempt from taxation to encourage investor participation. However, income from federal government bonds will remain exempt from the levy. FIRS explained that…