Author: Vardiafrica

 In a measure to contain the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) following a confirmed case in the Federal Capital Territory, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said he has directed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to place 46 persons identified as contacts of an Ebola-affected patient on a no-fly list for at least 21 days. The minister disclosed the directives in a statement posted on his verified X account following a virtual meeting with the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate. Keyamo said he has also ordered FAAN…

The tools are expected to give investors clearer information on Nigeria’s productive capacity and available investment opportunities, supporting informed decisions and encouraging investment in local industries. The Federal Government has launched new trade intelligence tools to help Nigerian businesses access international markets, attract productive investment, and strengthen local industries’ competitiveness as part of efforts to build a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2030. The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, who unveiled the initiative in Abuja, said it would provide exporters and investors with reliable market information to guide business decisions, navigate trade requirements and convert economic reforms into…

The National Economic Council (NEC) on Thursday Rose from its monthly meeting and endorsed a 90-day economic action plan proposed by the Federal Ministry of Finance to consolidate gains from President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms.The plan focuses on reducing the cost of living, improving food affordability, attracting investment, and accelerating the delivery of projects with direct benefits to Nigerians. NEC’s endorsement followed a presentation by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, during its 161st meeting held virtually and chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima. This is just as the Vice President said while…

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has commended the federal government for granting import duty waivers to support the establishment of Zeetin Technologies’ cargo tricycle assembly factory in Abuja. Speaking on Wednesday at the factory’s commissioning in Idu, Abuja, Jonathan praised the government’s support. “I understand that the federal government supported the establishment of this plant by granting duty-free imports. That is how it should be, and it is quite commendable,” he said. Jonathan delivered the remarks as chairman of the occasion. Azibaola Robert, chairman of Zeetin Technologies, said the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), in collaboration with the Nigeria…

Bank of Industry has set a target of creating and sustaining three million jobs and increasing its annual lending to N1.85 trillion by 2027, as part of efforts to expand business financing and strengthen Nigeria’s productive sectors.As reported by Nairametrics, the Managing Director of BOI, Olasupo Olusi, disclosed this on Thursday, October 22, 2026, during an engagement with media executives in Lagos, where he outlined the bank’s 2025–2027 corporate strategy.Olusi said the strategy was designed to double the bank’s loan portfolio, disbursements and development impact, with priority given to manufacturing, agriculture, local healthcare, climate-friendly businesses and technology-driven enterprises.He explained that…

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced a breakthrough following the Federal Executive Council’s approval of a comprehensive settlement regarding a 20-year legal and financial dispute with Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited. Under the new agreement, Bi-Courtney completely wrote off a massive N132 billion judgment debt and interest claim against the government.In exchange, the government removed exclusive clauses and restored specific concessions, allowing the federal administration to finally earn revenue from the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MM2) operations. He also highlighted a major upcoming initiative to establish an aircraft leasing company backed by international investors to tackle domestic…

The Federal Government has confirmed one case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and commenced contact tracing, with 44 close contacts identified as part of efforts to prevent further transmission. The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, following laboratory confirmation of the case. “A woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda, was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received treatment for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed,” the statement noted. The woman is…

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has warned INEC staff against partisan politics, insisting that electoral officials remain neutral and professional ahead of the 2027 general election. Amupitan gave the warning on Monday during an interactive session with INEC staff from the South-East region shortly after arriving in Enugu on a working visit to engage traditional rulers and electoral stakeholders.He said the commission would not tolerate unethical conduct or actions capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral process. “You should not pick interest in any political party. Be neutral and firm. I…

The Senate has begun moves to address funding gaps, inadequate infrastructure and disparities in educational standards across public senior secondary schools, proposing amendments to the law establishing the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC). The proposed amendment seeks to establish education boards at state and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) levels and extend targeted interventions to federal unity colleges and senior secondary schools operated by the Armed Forces. The National Senior Secondary Education Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2026, sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, representing Ekiti Central, scaled second reading during plenary yesterday, following a debate that highlighted concerns over education funding,…

In a major push for food security, the federal government has set up a technical committee to immediately accelerate livestock development and staple crop production nationwide. Specifically, the committee is to expedite action on strategic interventions in the agricultural sector, targeting wheat and other staple crops production as well as livestock development. The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, constituted the committee on Tuesday during a high-level meeting on agricultural sector performance and strategic interventions at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Mr Shettima charged members of the committee to cross-pollinate ideas and come up with a blueprint on implementing strategic interventions in the…