Author: Vardiafrica

Africa’s richest industrialist, Aliko Dangote, has expanded his continental industrialisation push into East Africa, as Africa must mobilise its own capital, build at scale and take ownership of the industries driving its transformation. Dangote, who disclosed plans to invest an additional $50 billion across Africa after committing more than $25 billion to existing businesses, said the next phase of the Group’s expansion would combine massive industrial investment with a deliberate opening of its businesses to African ownership through the capital markets. The declaration came in Nairobi on the eve of the groundbreaking of the Dangote East Africa Petroleum Refinery &…

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has congratulated the new Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom, His Majesty, King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja, Jeki VI, describing his coronation as a significant moment for the historic kingdom and the Niger Delta region Ogbuku spoke on Saturday when he joined prominent Nigerians, traditional rulers and other dignitaries at the coronation ceremony held at King Jaja Square in Opobo Town, Rivers State. King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja was formally crowned the sixth Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom at the colourful ceremony, succeeding the late King Dandeson Douglas Jaja. The…

The federal government has launched the National Digital Alphanumeric Postcode System aimed at improving location identification, service delivery and access to opportunities across Nigeria. Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, announced the launch on X on Thursday. The system, launched by the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), assigns an 11-character digital postcode to addressable buildings across the country. Tijani said the system would help small businesses reach customers beyond their immediate locations, while making it easier for emergency responders and public agencies to locate communities and deliver essential services. “Every Nigerian deserves to be found. Every business deserves…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has charged traditional rulers and community leaders to be vigilant and take collective responsibility in the protection of public infrastructure across the Niger Delta region. Speaking at a Stakeholders’ Forum on Public Infrastructure and Vandalism Prevention in Port Harcourt, NDDC Managing Director Dr Samuel Ogbuku said that while the government has a duty to provide basic amenities, communities are responsible for protecting them. Ogbuku, represented by the Director, Administration and Human Resources, Sir Kelechi Nwelue, noted that destroying public infrastructure harms communities and individuals, not just the government. He said: “The aim of the…

Five European Union countries are moving ahead with plans to establish migrant return centres outside the bloc, with the first facility expected to become operational in Africa in 2027. The countries involved are Greece, Germany, Austria, Denmark and the Netherlands. The five nations, known as the “Group of Five”, are working on a common model for so-called return hubs for migrants whose asylum applications have been finally rejected or who have no legal right to remain in the EU Plevris said Greece had already selected an African country to host the facility but that its identity could not yet be…

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday dismissed concerns about his health, saying he is “healthy, sound, and ready to go” after returning to Nigeria from his extended working vacation in Europe. Tinubu spoke with journalists on arrival in Lagos following his stay in France, where he had spent the latter part of his vacation. Asked about concerns raised by some Nigerians and his supporters about his health, Tinubu said there was nothing wrong with him. “Ready to kick, ready to walk. There’s nothing wrong. Rumour will always be emanating from politics, but the facts remain: I’m here. Healthy, sound, and ready…

Tanzania has removed Nigerian nationals from its referred visa category, ending the requirement for special clearance before they can obtain a visa. The Tanzania Immigration Services Department announced the development in a notice dated September 25 and shared on its official X handle on Monday. The statement signed by Paul Mselle, chief spokesperson of the Tanzania Immigration Services Department, said the decision followed amendments published in government gazette No. 246 of 2026. “With immediate effect, Nigerian nationals travelling to the United Republic of Tanzania are no longer subject to referred visa restrictions and will follow standard visa application procedures through…

Manchester City arranged “sham contracts” with a number of commercial partners as part of a scheme to disguise secret funding of more than £830m, the Premier League says. The League confirmed that City have been found guilty of all charges related to breaches of Premier League financial rules between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons. An independent commission found that, during that time period, the club arranged the “sham contracts” as well as “relying on sham agreements to artificially inflate the club’s revenues and reduce its costs”. The club continue to deny any wrongdoing and have until 2 October to submit…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has transmitted the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) 2026 statutory budget proposal and two bills to the House of Representatives for consideration and legislative action. The President’s requests were contained in three separate letters addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and the House received them on September 24.In one letter dated August 20, Tinubu forwarded the NDDC’s 2026 Statutory Budget Proposal for the House’s consideration and passage. He said the budget proposal was prepared based on the commission’s revenue and expenditure forecasts and aligned with the Federal Government’s fiscal…

Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Youth Development has launched the National Youth Data Bank (NYDB), a platform intended to support youth development planning, connect young Nigerians with opportunities and strengthen evidence-based policymaking. The initiative was launched in Abuja on Tuesday under the theme, “Building a Stronger Future for the Nigerian Youth through Data, Opportunity and Inclusion.” Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said reliable information was needed to better understand the country’s young population and respond to their needs. “We cannot adequately plan for what we cannot properly see.” Olawande said the Data Bank would provide…