Author: Vardiafrica

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced a state of emergency across the region. Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, conveyed the declaration on Tuesday during the 55th session of the Mediation and Security Council at the ministerial level in Abuja. The meeting was convened in response to a series of coups and failed mutinies in the sub-region. Touray emphasized that the recent developments underscore the “imperative of serious introspection on the future of our democracy and the urgent need to invest in the security of our community.” Last month, military officers in Guinea-Bissau seized control…

The allied military-led nations of the Sahel denounced the emergency landing of a Nigerian military aircraft in Burkina Faso on Monday, while collectively threatening action against violations of their airspace. The Alliance of Sahel States — made up of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso — said in a joint statement that the aircraft had been carrying 11 military personnel and did not have permission to fly over Burkina Faso. “An aircraft belonging to the Air Force of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, type C-130, was forced to land today in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, following an in-flight emergency situation while…

Every match at the 2026 World Cup will have three-minute hydration breaks in each half. Fifa said the measure is being introduced to “prioritise player welfare” and will happen in matches regardless of the weather conditions “to ensure equal conditions for all teams, in all matches”. The referee will stop the game 22 minutes into each half to allow players to rehydrate. With the tournament taking place across the US, Canada and Mexico in June and July 2026, experts warn that high temperatures, wildfires and even hurricanes could affect teams, fans and stadium workers. The recent Pitches in Peril report…

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts has issued a firm deadline of December 15 for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to appear before it and respond to allegations of revenue leakages running into trillions of naira. The committee’s chairman, Rep. Bamidele Salam, gave the order during a session on Monday in Abuja after the NNPCL management once again failed to honour its long-standing invitations. According to Salam, the company has ignored no fewer than seven separate summonses, each time citing various scheduling conflicts. In a letter addressed to the committee and read by Salam, the NNPCL…

President Bola Tinubu has commended the security agencies for their tireless efforts in securing the freedom of the 100 students of Papiri Catholic School in Niger State. While expressing his joy over the safe return of the students, President Tinubu equally charged the security agencies to ensure the swift release of the remaining 115 students and their teachers who are still held hostage. President Tinubu assured the parents that both the federal and the Niger State governments are working closely to reunite all the abducted students with their families. “I have been briefed on the safe return of 100 students…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has granted licences to 82 bureau de change (BDCs) to operate under its revised guidelines from November 27, 2025. On May 22, 2024, CBN issued regulatory guidelines for bureau de change operations after consultation with stakeholders and directed existing BDCs to reapply for a new licence. In a circular on Monday, the apex bank also said that only BDCs listed on the website are authorised to operate from the aforementioned date. CBN warned that operating a BDC business without a valid licence is a punishable offence under section 57(1) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act…

President Bola Tinubu has called on public servants to uphold accountability in service to build trust, as he conferred the Distinguished Award for Excellence in Infrastructure Delivery and Sustainable Regional Growth on the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, and other outstanding leaders. Speaking at the third edition of the Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service, NEAPS, held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, the President warned that weak sanction systems and lax oversight often fuel cynicism about governance. President Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator…

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago on Monday evening received 100 students of St. Mary’s Catholic Primary/Secondary School Papiri, Agwara local government, rescued on Sunday. The children were brought to Government House in five buses belonging to the office of the National Security Adviser and under heavy security. Wing Commander Abdullahi Idi Hong who represented the National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu presented the children to Governor Bago. Idi Hong said the rescue operation was carried out by the Department of State Services (DSS),the Army and other sister security agencies. “This operation took two intensive weeks by the DSS, Army…

Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, refused to grant an ex-parte application by the convicted leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, seeking for his transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Centre, where he is currently serving a jail term. Justice Omotosho declined to grant the application on the grounds that the request contained therein cannot be granted through an exparte application. Kanu was last month sentenced to life imprisonment upon conviction on terrorism offences. He however brought an application before the court seeking amongst others, “an order compelling the Federal…

The British High Commission in Abuja has launched two flagship economic reform programmes – the Nigeria Economic Stability and Transformation (NEST) programme and the Nigeria Public Finance Facility (NPFF) – reaffirming the United Kingdom’s long-term commitment to supporting Nigeria’s economic reform and growth agenda. Backed by a £12.4 million UK investment, NEST and NPFF sit at the centre of the UK-Nigeria mutual growth partnership and support Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen macroeconomic stability, improve fiscal resilience, and create a more competitive environment for investment and private-sector growth. Speaking at the launch, Head of Development Cooperation at the British High Commission in…