Author: Vardiafrica

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, has reiterated the vision of the Board as a catalyst for the industrialisation of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry and related sectors, noting that its role in that regard is regulatory, developmental and promotional. Speaking in Lagos at the 15th Anniversary Awareness Workshop on the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010, hosted by AMNI International, he said the mandate of the NCDMB is to develop local capacities and capabilities across the oil and gas value chain, and to enforce…

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced plans to increase fees for all its products and services, which include charges for modification of data on the National Identification Number (NIN) database. The Commission, in a statement issued on Thursday by its Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, said the new fees will be published on the Commission’s website on Friday, May 2nd, 2025. The Commission said the price review comes “after a decade of maintaining the same price structure,” adding that the increment is to ensure alignment with current operational costs and industry standards. “The revised pricing structure aims to…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to depart Abuja, on a two-day official visit to Katsina State, on Friday. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement on Thursday, disclosed that during the visit, the President will meet with key stakeholders to assess the security situation in the state. As part of the visit, President Tinubu will also honour an invitation to attend the wedding of the governor’s daughter before returning to Abuja. According to Onanuga, “During the visit, the President will meet with key stakeholders to assess the security situation in the state.“He…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced a comprehensive investigation into alleged discrepancies surrounding the disbursement of student loans under the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). This action follows a recent media report alleging that no fewer than 51 tertiary institutions were implicated in illegal deductions and exploitation related to the NELFUND scheme. These institutions were alleged to have made unauthorized deductions ranging from N3,500 to N30,000 from each student’s institutional fees received through the loan fund. Open source revealed significant gaps in the financial disbursement process, alleging that while federal government while the Federal Government…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has traced funds linked to the failed crypto bridge exchange (CBEX) scheme to at least four countries. Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on Wednesday, Ola Olukoyede, EFCC chairman, said although efforts are underway to recover the stolen funds, full restitution to victims may be impossible. Olukoyede said several accounts have been blocked and funds frozen, although the amounts cannot be disclosed yet. He said most of the transactions were conducted in cryptocurrency and routed through wallets beyond Nigeria’s jurisdiction. “We have been able to block some accounts. We have been able to…

Governor Monday Okpebholo has raised the minimum wage for workers in Edo State from ₦70,000 to ₦75,000 in a bid to improve their living standard The governor announced this on Thursday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City during the celebration of this year’s Workers’ Day. “Today, I am proud to announce that our administration has approved a new minimum wage of N75,000 per month for Edo workers. “It’s our way of saying thank you, Edo workers. We believe this will make a real difference, and in return, we count on your renewed dedication as we build a better Edo together. “Since…

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has imposed  new penalties targeting individuals who violate Hajj permit regulations. The Ministry of Interior made this known on Thursday saying the sanctions include a heavy fine of $26,661 on those who apply for visit visas on behalf of people attempting to perform Hajj without proper authorisation. The new measures, released via the Saudi Press Agency, SPA, are said to be part of intensified efforts to curb unauthorised access to Makkah and the holy sites during the annual pilgrimage. The enforcement period will reportedly run from the 1st of Dhul-Qi’dah to the 14th of Dhul-Hijjah, the…

The United States and Ukraine on Wednesday signed a minerals deal after a two-month delay, in what President Donald Trump’s administration called a new form of US commitment to Kyiv after the end of military aid. Ukraine said it secured key interests after protracted negotiations, including full sovereignty over its own rare earths, which are vital for new technologies and largely untapped. Trump had initially demanded rights to Ukraine’s mineral wealth as compensation for US weapons sent under former president Joe Biden after Russia invaded just over three years ago. After initial hesitation, Ukraine has accepted a minerals accord as…

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is proposing amendments to Nigeria’s electoral framework to strip the President of the power to appoint Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).   The proposed change would instead give the commission power to make the appointments, though with a different nomenclature to be known as State Directors of Elections.  INEC is also pushing for the introduction of electronically downloadable voter cards to replace Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). Also, the commission’s Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and other stakeholders have stressed the need for electoral reforms, a single-day voting system and voting without…

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to, within 24 hours, release socialite and businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu. Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a short ruling, also added that parties in the suit, especially the EFCC, are to report to the court to give report on compliance with the order of the court on May 2, 2025. Recall that Justice Ekwo had, on Monday, ordered Achimugu to submit herself to the EFCC in connection with an ongoing investigation bordering on money laundering and other offences. Justice Ekwo also held that following her…