Author: Vardiafrica

NIGERIA’s power sector continues to face deep financial and operational challenges, with the Federal Government incurring a subsidy obligation of N418.79bn in the fourth quarter of 2025, even as inefficiencies across the electricity value chain resulted in losses exceeding N300bn during the same period. This was disclosed in the fourth-quarter 2025 report released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, which highlighted declining remittances, persistent distribution losses, grid instability, and a marginal decline in available generation capacity. According to the report, generation companies issued total invoices amounting to N804.93bn for electricity produced within the quarter. However, due to tariffs that do…

Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has granted bail to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged corruption charges. However, the court ordered that he remains in custody pending the perfection of the bail conditions. Justice Rilwanu Aikawa granted El-Rufai bail in the sum of N200 million with two sureties in like sum, describing the conditions as strict and extensive. The court ruled that the one-time FCT Minister must remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC until all conditions are met. As part of the conditions, one surety must be a…

Romuald Wadagni, Benin Republic’s minister of finance, has secured a landslide victory in the country’s presidential election, with more than 94 percent of the votes, according to provisional results. Sacca Lafia, head ​of the country’s ​independent electoral commission, announced the results late Monday night on ‌national ⁠television. Lafia said voter ​turnout for the ​election ⁠stood at 58.78 percent. Before the results were announced, Paul Hounkpè, the sole opposition candidate, conceded defeat. Hounkpè had said he would accept the result depending on the transparency and fairness of the electoral process. His concession eliminates obstacles in Wadagni’s path to succeed President Patrice…

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued the Mini-Grid Regulations 2026. This regulatory document, numbered NERC-R-001-2026, provides a comprehensive framework for the development, operation, and regulation of mini-grids in Nigeria. It aims to expand electricity access, especially in unserved and underserved areas, while ensuring safety, fairness, and investment protection. Highlights of the Regulation – Applies to Isolated mini-grids that operate independently of DisCo networks, up to 5 megawatts (MW); and Interconnected mini-grids which are connected to and coordinated with existing distribution networks, up to 10MW. – Covers developers, operators, distribution companies, and host communities. – Aligns with the Electricity…

Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, yesterday flagged-off a capacity building programme for the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to boost customs revenue operations, curb leakages and enhance transparency and accountability. Adeniyi spoke in Abuja at the opening of a training on AI-driven revenue generation, remittances for NCS. He said over the past decade, technology had played a significant role in improving the service’s operations, adding, “We now deploy risk management systems that help us assess and monitor activities more effectively.” He said as part of ongoing reforms, the service was committed to transparency and accountability, stressing that…

FIFA has turned down Iran’s request to relocate its World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico, citing logistical impediments, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirms. Iran’s Football Federation (FFIRI) asked the sport’s global governing body to move its games out of the US last month, but FIFA said all World Cup fixtures will go ahead as scheduled, dismissing the possibility of Mexico hosting the Iranian team Sheinbaum reiterated FIFA’s stance on Friday, saying the matches will be played in the US as planned. “FIFA ultimately decided that the matches cannot be moved from their original venues,” Sheinbaum said at a news…

Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Alison-Madueke has denied all bribery allegations against her while testifying before a UK court, insisting she never abused her office or accepted illicit benefits. Former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke has firmly rejected allegations of corruption during her ongoing trial at the Southwark Crown Court. Testifying on Monday, the 65-year-old told the court that she maintained integrity throughout her time in public service and never accepted any form of bribe. “I can state categorically that at no point did I ask for, take or receive a bribe of any sort… and did not abuse my office,” she said. Prosecutors…

The Federal Government has granted a waiver on import duties for mass transit buses, electric vehicles, and manufacturing machinery. The development followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to key economic officials to design measures to cushion the impact of the ongoing Middle East crisis on Nigerians, particularly amid rising fuel prices. A disclosure contained in an X post on Monday by Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, noted that the move is part of new fiscal measures aimed at easing economic pressure on Nigerians and curbing inflationary pressures. Olusegun said the Tinubu administration approved a broad…

The Kaduna State High Court on Monday adjourned the hearing of a bail application filed by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to April 14, 2026. El-Rufai appeared before the court amid tight security as proceedings continued in a case filed against him and a co-defendant, Amadu Sule, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), involving alleged financial impropriety and abuse of office. During the court session, El-Rufai entered a not-guilty plea to all nine charges brought against him by the ICPC on March 18, 2026. The ICPC, on the other hand, had requested that the…

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has ordered an immediate probe into alleged civilian casualties following an airstrike in Jilli, Borno State. This comes after reports alleging that an airstrike conducted on Saturday, 11 April 2026, may have affected a local market in Jilli, resulting in civilian casualties. According to a statement by the NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the service treats all reports of possible civilian harm with the utmost seriousness and empathy, as the protection of innocent lives remains central to all NAF operations. The statement explained that the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), in line with…