Author: Vardiafrica

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the posting of 65 ambassadors-designate to Nigerian diplomatic missions worldwide, including those at the United Nations, in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s diplomatic presence abroad. The list comprises 31 non-career ambassadors and 34 career diplomats, whose nominations by the President last November were confirmed by the Senate in December 2025 following their screening by the lawmakers. According to a statement issued by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday, several prominent political figures and public officials were among the non-career envoys assigned to key foreign missions. Among them…

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says it will maintain efforts to curb revenue losses at airport toll gates using a hybrid approach despite the suspension of the nationwide cashless payment policy. The system combines electronic payment channels with cash while operational improvements are implemented. Managing Director of FAAN, Olubunmi Kuku, explained that the directive issued after deliberations by the Federal Executive Council does not cancel the policy. Instead, it provides additional time to refine the rollout process and improve user experience across airport access points. The decision followed the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, after severe gridlock was…

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board has reiterated its commitment to advancing gender inclusion and sustainable capacity development in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, spotlighting a $20m Women in Oil and Gas Intervention Fund. The Board made this known at the 3rd edition of the Diversity Sector Working Group’s Women in Oil and Gas Conference and Mentorship Programme, held on March 3, 2026, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos. The conference, organised in collaboration with the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum, was themed ‘Breaking Barriers, Shaping the Future’, with a strong focus on building bridges and empowering women for a…

Donald Trump says he wants to be involved in choosing the next supreme leader of Iran, reiterating his goal of giving rise to a new leadership that is friendly to the United States within the Iranian ruling system. The US president voiced opposition on Thursday to appointing the son of the assassinated Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba, to replace his slain father “They are wasting their time. Khamenei’s son is a lightweight. I have to be involved in the appointment,” Trump told Axios. He added that he would prefer to have a leader similar to Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez, who…

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has said that its 10-year strategic roadmap was designed to strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base by retaining 70 per cent of oil and gas industry spending within the country by 2027, while creating employment opportunities for about 300,000 Nigerians across the oil and gas value chain and its linkage sectors. This position was made known during a high-level panel session at the maiden West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing and Trade Summit and Exhibition, held in Lagos under the theme “Accelerating West Africa’s Sustainable Industrial Revolution for Economic Prosperity”. The session focused on maximising human…

The United States asked Ukraine for help to fend off Iranian drone attacks in the Middle East, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday, adding that he had ordered expert support to be given. During Russia’s four-year offensive, Kiev has developed a range of cheap and effective drone interceptors, aerial craft designed to hit incoming attack drones mid-air, that it says are world-leading. Zelenskyy on Tuesday offered US allies in the Middle East a swap of some of their air defence missiles in exchange for those interceptors, which he said would better protect them from Iranian drone attacks. “We received…

The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday rallied wives of state governors at the Presidential Villa to take bold, independent action in tackling social and economic hardships, likening the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) to a child maturing to walk unaided. Speaking at the inaugural quarterly meeting of state first ladies for 2026, she dismissed excuses amid challenges like banditry and kidnapping, urging them to prioritise youth empowerment, women’s skills and grassroots interventions tailored to their regions. Drawing from her tenure as Lagos First Lady, Mrs Tinubu shared how initiatives like Spelling Bee competitions kept children in public schools…

Amid the Middle East turmoil sparked by U.S. airstrikes on Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump met with ‘the god of football,’ Lionel Messi. On the 5th, local time, foreign media including The New York Times reported, “President Trump hosted a championship celebration in the East Room of the White House, inviting players from Inter Miami, the Major League Soccer (MLS) champions of the last season.” The event was attended by Inter Miami players including Messi and club owner Jorge Mas, but co-owner David Beckham was absent. The New York Times and others reported, “At the event, President Trump delivered a…

(Reuters) – More tankers came under attack in Gulf waters on Thursday as the U.S.–Iran war escalated, and Iranian drones entered Azerbaijan, threatening to spread the crisis to more oil producers in the region. A Bahamas-flagged crude oil tanker was targeted by an Iranian remote-controlled boat laden with explosives while anchored near Iraq’s Khor al Zubair port, according to initial assessments. A second tanker at anchor off Kuwait was taking on water and spilling oil after a large explosion on its port side. Nine vessels have come under attack since the conflict broke out between the U.S., Israel and Iran on Saturday. Iran launched a wave of missiles at Israel early…

UK’s Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood has announced a new pilot scheme that will offer some migrant families up to £40,000 to voluntarily leave United Kingdom, as part of a broader overhaul of the country’s migration system. Under the proposal, up to 150 migrants will be eligible to receive £10,000 per person, including children, with a maximum payment of £40,000 per family if they agree to leave Britain within seven days. Mahmood said the increased incentive would be offered to failed asylum seekers and argued the policy could reduce the cost of supporting migrants who remain in the country. “Failed asylum…