Author: Vardiafrica

More than 2500 foreign prison staff, the majority of them Nigerians, who were facing deportation and possible job losses, have been temporarily spared following an emergency visa extension by the UK government. The intervention comes after changes to visa rules introduced in July put thousands of overseas prison workers at risk once their permits expired. The policy shift had raised concerns about the possible collapse of parts of the prison system, which relies heavily on foreign labour amid staffing shortages. According to Sky News, following lobbying by the prisons minister, Lord Timpson, and discussions with the Home Secretary and former justice…

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has cautioned inter-city road transport operators against arbitrary and unexplained fare increases during the ongoing yuletide travel period, following a surge in consumer complaints across several parts of the country. The Commission said it recognises that seasonal demand, operational pressures and other legitimate cost factors may affect transport pricing However, it said consumers are entitled to clear, accurate, and timely information on fares before travel, noting that any fare adjustment must therefore be transparently communicated and applied fairly. The FCCPC also noted that these complaints are arising at a time when there…

President Bola Tinubu has cautioned governors that he may be forced to issue an executive order to enforce direct allocations to local governments if they fail to comply with the Supreme Court ruling affirming financial autonomy for Nigeria’s third tier of government. Tinubu gave the warning during the 15th National Executive Committee meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, on Friday. Addressing the NEC members, comprising governors, National Working Committee members, and other party leaders, Tinubu said, “The Supreme Court has capped it for you again, saying give them their money directly. “If…

The Nigerian Air Force C-130 crew, earlier detained in Burkina Faso and released yesterday, has continued its mission from the country to Portugal with the same aircraft. Recall that the crew, comprising 11 Nigerian personnel on a mission to Portugal for scheduled aircraft maintenance, made an emergency landing in Burkina Faso which was described as a precautionary measure following a technical issue with the aircraft. The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa while speaking with journalists stated that that the plane and the crew are scheduled to continue to Portugal for maintenance, as planned before the incident.…

President Bola Tinubu says bandits, violent cult groups, kidnappers, foreign-linked mercenaries, and other armed non-state actors will be treated as terrorists under a new security framework to be rolled out by his administration. Tinubu said this on Friday when he presented the budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year to a joint session of the National Assembly, stating that his government will go after enablers and not just perpetrators of crimes. “Under this new architecture, any armed group or gun-wielding non-state actors operating outside state authority will be regarded as terrorists,” the former Lagos State governor told the gathering at…

President Bola Tinubu has presented the 2026 federal budget of N58.18 trillion, with N5.41 trillion allocated to defence and security, which represents approximately 9.3 percent of the total expenditure. Presenting the budget themed ‘Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity’ on Friday to the national assembly, Tinubu said that without security, investment cannot thrive. The president said the 2026 budget reflects the administration’s determination to lock in macroeconomic stability, deepen competitiveness, and ensure growth benefits all Nigerians. Tinubu said the 2026 budget is anchored on “realism, prudence, and growth orientation,” highlighting the key aggregates: expected total revenue of N34.33 trillion,…

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, is holding a meeting with the leadership of the two groups of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The meeting, which is being held at the INEC headquarters in Abuja, is at the instance of the INEC chairman ahead of the FCT area council elections and those of Osun and Ekiti states scheduled for next year. The meeting is attended by the Tanimu Turaki-led national working committee and that of Samuel Anyanwu. After the opening remarks of the Amupitan, who stated that the meeting was to try to understand why…

Senate has confirmed the appointment of Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as CEO of Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission. It also confirmed Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as CEO of Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Agency. The appointments confirmed at plenary was sequel to the recommendation of the Joint committees on Petroleum Upstream, Downstream and Gas. President Tinubu appointed the Eyesan and Aliyu on Wednesday this week, to fill the vacancy created following the resignation of the erstwhile heads of the two Regulators. The letter for the confirmation request from the President was transmitted to the senate on Thursday. The confirmation process was expedited…

President Donald Trump has ordered a halt to the U.S. Diversity Visa Lottery program following a deadly shooting at Brown University last week that left two people dead, a move his administration says is tied to renewed concerns over immigration vetting and national security. Authorities said the suspect, a Portuguese national who was found dead on Thursday, had entered the United States in 2017 through the Diversity Visa lottery program and later obtained lawful permanent resident status or informally, a green card. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on X that the visa program has been put on hold at President Trump’s…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has doubled down on his push for state police and full local government autonomy, telling All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders that both reforms are non-negotiable if Nigeria is to tackle insecurity and strengthen grassroots governance. Speaking on Thursday, December 19, at the 14th National Caucus meeting of the APC, held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, Tinubu disclosed that he had already assured the United States and European partners that Nigeria would establish state police. He said he was confident the ruling party would back the move. “I had a very long discussion with them.…