Author: Vardiafrica

The Senate has approved a total of ₦403.1 billion for the Nigerian Police Trust Fund (NPTF) to strengthen the Nigeria Police Force and boost efforts to combat terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other security threats across the country over the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years. The upper legislative chamber approved ₦170.1 billion for the Police Trust Fund’s 2025 budget and ₦233 billion for the 2026 fiscal year. The 2026 appropriation will fund personnel costs, capital projects and overhead expenditures aimed at improving the operational capacity of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and enhancing its ability to respond to security challenges nationwide.…

President Bola Tinubu has met with heads of security agencies to appraise situation across the country. Minister of defense, Christopher Musa and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu led other security heads to the Presidential Villa for the strategic meeting. The heads of the agencies briefed the Commander-in-chief, respectively on what their individual agencies are doing to curtail insecurity in parts of the country. They acknowledged improvement in security situation across the nation with commitment to build on current achievement. While they agreed that Intelligence will continue to play critical role in the security arena of the nation, they also…

Broadcasters in France and Spain have lodged a complaint with FIFA concerning its decision to designate ExpressVPN as an official sponsor of the World Cup. ExpressVPN, a virtual private network service that safeguards users’ online privacy, was announced as an official partner of the World Cup prior to the tournament’s commencement and has been prominently displayed on advertising boards during matches. However, Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga, who has spearheaded efforts against illegal football streaming in Spain, has expressed his discontent with the promotion of a VPN service at the World Cup, as its usage can hinder authorities’…

Travellers in the United States who require Nigerian visas will now submit their applications directly to the Nigerian embassy and consulates after the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) disengaged its third-party visa application service provider. Previously, Online Integrated Solution (OIS SERVICES) functioned as the operator of Nigeria’s visa application and submission centres in the US. However, a statement issued Thursday by Akinsola Akinlabi, NIS public relations officer, said the operator has been disengaged effective immediately. Akinlabi did not state why. “Travellers seeking Nigerian visas are now required to submit their applications directly at the embassy of Nigeria in Washington, DC, or at the…

President Bola Tinubu has transmitted the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2026, to the senate for consideration and passage. Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the president’s letter during plenary on Thursday. In the letter, Tinubu said the proposed legislation seeks to strengthen the administration and governance of public senior secondary education in Nigeria. Tinubu said the federal executive council (FEC) approved the amendment bill at its meeting on April 30, 2026. He added that the federal ministry of justice subsequently vetted and finalised the bill in line with drafting standards and constitutional provisions. “In consequence of the above, the desire…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has retained Nigeria’s economic growth forecast at 4.1 percent for 2026, but warned that higher prices for essential commodities will worsen poverty and food insecurity. In its July 2026 World Economic Outlook (WEO) Update released on Wednesday, the IMF said Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) would expand by 4.1 percent this year and improve to 4.3 percent in 2027 — unchanged from its April forecast. The Bretton Woods institution also maintained sub-Saharan Africa’s growth outlook at 4.3 percent for 2026 and 4.5 percent for 2027. “Nigeria is supported by improved macroeconomic stability and favorable terms-of-trade…

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has signed into law constitutional changes extending his time in office to 2030. The legislation, approved by Parliament last month, also introduces a provision allowing future presidents to be elected by lawmakers instead of a direct public vote. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has signed legislation extending his tenure by two years, allowing him to remain in office until 2030. Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana confirmed the move on Tuesday, announcing on social media that the bill had been “signed, sealed and delivered” after receiving presidential assent. The legislation was approved by both houses of Parliament last month following…

Renewed fighting has broken out in the Gulf region, in the worst exchange of fire between the US and Iran since the two nations signed an interim deal in June. US Central Command (Centcom) said on Tuesday it had launched “powerful” strikes in response to attacks on three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, hitting more than 80 targets including air defence systems, coastal radar and fast boats. On Wednesday, Iran said it had targeted US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait in retaliation to the US attacks. Oil prices ticked up following the strikes, with a barrel of…

President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill to prepare the legal framework for the implementation of state police across the country. Represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, the President inaugurated the committee at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The inauguration followed the Senate’s passage of the Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill, 2026, which proposes a dual policing structure comprising the Federal Police Service and 36 State Police Services. Tinubu said that although the constitutional amendment establishes the framework for state police, the National Policing Bill would provide the legal basis for…

Argentina staged a stunning comeback from 2-0 down to avoid a shocking exit at the hands of Egypt and prolong Lionel Messi’s World Cup career with a 3-2 win to reach the quarterfinals. The holders looked down and out on Tuesday when goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko, either side of Messi having a penalty saved, put the Pharaohs in sight of a historic victory in Atlanta However, Cristian Romero’s header sparked the comeback as Argentina struck three times in the final 11 minutes plus stoppage time. Messi smashed home the equaliser to score for a ninth consecutive World Cup game…