Author: Vardiafrica

The Federal Inland Revenue Service has announced that the National Identification Number issued by the National Identity Management Commission has automatically become the Tax Identification Number for individual Nigerians. The clarification was made in a public awareness campaign on the new tax laws shared by the Service on X on Monday. According to the FIRS, registered businesses will also no longer require a separate Tax ID, as their Corporate Affairs Commission registration number will now serve as their official tax identifier under the new tax system. The announcement comes amid public concerns over provisions in the new tax laws that…

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his administration’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for the Niger Delta, declaring that the long-standing Ogoni crisis is finally giving way to visible progress in infrastructure, employment and environmental remediation. The Governor made this known on Monday, December 22, 2025 while hosting a high-powered federal delegation led by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on a courtesy visit to Government House, Port Harcourt. The delegation included the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi; the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal; and the Group Chief Executive Officer of the…

The federal government has introduced mandatory drug testing as a new requirement for employment into the public service. The directive was issued to permanent secretaries and heads of extra-ministerial departments/parastatals in a statement on Monday. Segun Imohiosen, director of information and public relations at the office of the secretary to the government of the federation (OSGF), said in the statement that new conditions are part of ongoing efforts to curb the rising menace of illicit drug use and its consequences on national development and security. He added that the directive was premised on the concern raised by the federal government…

The Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, has received the remaining abducted students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of the state. The students were formally handed over on Monday by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, who was represented by Major General Adamu Laka. Speaking at the handover, Laka said security agencies had worked tirelessly since the abduction to ensure the safe rescue and return of the children. He emphasized the Federal Government’s commitment to policies that protect the rights and safety of every Nigerian child, while reiterating the determination of security…

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has urged Nigerians to report MRS stations selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol at a price above the approved ₦739 per litre. This is as the company said it has commenced nationwide sales of petrol at a pump price of ₦739 per litre across all MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations. A statement by the company on Sunday said the cut in petrol prices represents a significant milestone in the refinery’s mission to deliver affordable fuel to Nigerians and stabilise the downstream petroleum market. With over 2,000 MRS stations nationwide, the Refinery noted that the new…

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has arrived at the Government House in Port Harcourt on a visit to Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara. Accompanying the NSA were the Minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi, and his counterpart at the Environment Ministry, Balarabe Lawal. They arrived in the oil-rich state on Monday to begin a high-level inspection of key sites in Rivers State, as part of a Federal Government delegation currently in the state. Other delegates include the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and the Director-General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, Chukwuemeka Woke. Earlier, the senior…

Rivers State Governor, Sir Simnalayi Fubara, has commiserated with the people of Bayelsa State and the family of its late Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo. Governor Fubara, who paid a condolence visit to his Bayelsa counterpart, Senator Douye Diri, on Sunday in Government House, Yenagoa, accompanied by a high-powered delegation, said Rivers people were also in grief over Senator Ewhrudjakpo’s death as whatever impacted Bayelsa had a ripple effect on his state. He said: “Rivers and Bayelsa would remain as one people. While you in Bayelsa are grieving, our state is also grieving. Our story in Rivers cannot be complete…

The remaining 130 schoolchildren kidnapped by gunmen from a Catholic school in Nigeria’s north-central Niger State in November have been released, a presidential spokesman said on Sunday, confirming that all abducted pupils are now free. “Another 130 abducted Niger State pupils released, none left in captivity,” spokesman Sunday Dare said in a post on X, accompanied by a photograph showing the smiling children. The spokesman did not provide details on the circumstances surrounding their release. The students were taken in November when armed bandits stormed St. Mary’s Private Catholic School, abducting a total of 303 children and 12 teachers, according to…

The United States and Nigeria have signed a five-year, $5.1bn health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at boosting Nigeria’s healthcare delivery, including targeted support for hundreds of faith-based health facilities in the country. Under the agreement, the US intends to provide $2.1bn in health assistance while Nigeria has pledged to invest $3bn in new domestic health spending within the same period. The combined $5.1bn commitment represents the largest co-investment made by any partner country under the America First Global Health Strategy to date, according to a statement by the US Embassy in Nigeria on Sunday. The MoU is designed…

The Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) will be held every four years from 2028, Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has announced. The tournament has taken place every two years since 1968, with a one-year gap between the 2012 and 2013 editions. But it will switch to a four-year cycle after the 2027 Afcon in East Africa and a 2028 edition. Motsepe has instead announced the creation of an African Nations League which will take place annually from 2029. “We have the most exciting new structure for African football,” Motsepe said. “I do what is in the interests of…