Author: Vardiafrica

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has warned that airlines across the country may suspend operations from April 20, 2026, over what it describes as an “astronomical and unsustainable” rise in the price of Jet A1 fuel. In a letter dated April 14, 2026, and addressed to the Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Mr Clement Isong, AON said the cost of aviation fuel has surged from ₦900 per litre as of February 28 to ₦3,300 per litre — an increase of over 300 per cent within weeks. According to the body, the spike is…

The World Bank Group, in partnership with multilateral development banks, development finance institutions and key partners, today launched Water Forward, a global platform to help improve water security for 1 billion people by 2030. The platform will align policy reforms, financing, and partnerships to expand reliable water services and strengthen systems against droughts and floods—essential conditions for job creation. Water underpins health, food systems, energy, and an estimated 1.7 billion jobs worldwide; yet 4 billion people experience water scarcity. In many countries, unclear policies, weak regulations, and financially unsustainable utilities have slowed progress and deterred investment in the sector. Water…

Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned that Europe may have just six weeks of jet fuel left as the airline industry grapples with supply disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict. Birol spoke in an interview with the Associated Press on Thursday. He said a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could trigger the “largest energy crisis” ever experienced. Birol said the disruption would have far-reaching implications for the global economy, warning that prolonged supply constraints could worsen inflation and slow economic growth. He added that the impact would be felt across energy markets, with higher petrol,…

Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Senator Heineken Lokpobiri on Tuesday performed the groundbreaking of Southfield Petroleum Limited (SPL) Utorogu 200 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd) gas processing plant, with a charge to indigenous oil and gas companies to come up with bold business ideas like Southfield and to leverage the opportunities that the NCDMB provides. Speaking at the ceremony at Iwherekan, Ughelli, in Delta State, he stated that the facility, which is to process wet gas into lean gas for re-injection into the Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System in addition to key outputs as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), condensate, and autogas, would “change the entire energy landscape of this country,” and that it signalled a positive…

Key Management staff of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Seplat Energy Plc met with principal officers of the Delta State University (DELSU), at Abraka, Delta State, on Monday to deliberate on critical processes toward the take-off of a Centre of Excellence in Gas Development, approved for the institution by the Board in 2024. The project, which is the latest among similar ones at Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, and Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, is the outcome…

The Federal Ministry of Environment has issued a fresh flood warning covering at least 10 states, cautioning that sustained heavy rainfall over several days could trigger flooding in vulnerable communities. The alert, released by the ministry’s Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department through the National Flood Early Warning Centre (NFEWS), indicates that parts of the country may experience intense rainfall between April 13 and April 17, 2026, with a high likelihood of overflow in low-lying and flood-prone areas. According to the advisory, the states identified as being at risk include Adamawa, Enugu, Kaduna, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Osun, Oyo, Plateau…

United Nigeria Airlines has withdrawn one of its CRJ-900 aircraft from service following a bird strike during landing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, marking the fifth such incident recorded by the carrier in the first four months of 2026. Flight UN0579 had departed Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport en route to Abuja when the strike occurred. The airline confirmed the development in a statement made available to The PUNCH by its spokesperson, Chibuike Uloka, on Wednesday. “In line with our strict and uncompromising safety standards, the aircraft has been immediately withdrawn from operations to undergo comprehensive technical inspections and…

The Department of State Services has re-arraigned a former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and his son, Abdulaziz, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on an amended charge bordering on alleged terrorism and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. At the day’s hearing, counsel to the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), told the court that an amended charge had been filed to replace an earlier one on which they had been arraigned. Kehinde applied to withdraw the earlier charge and requested that the amended one be read to the defendant for the pleas to…

The African Democratic Congress concluded its national convention on Tuesday in Abuja, with delegates overwhelmingly voting to amend the party’s constitution. At the end of voting, the Chairman of the ADC Electoral Sub-Committee and former Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, announced the result. He said a total of 1,576 delegates were accredited, while 11 votes were voided. A total of 1,471 delegates voted “yes” to amend the constitution, representing 94 per cent. “Distinguished delegates, by virtue of this result announced, it means that the constitution of the African Democratic Congress has today been duly amended by this convention that…

The Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed that the Nigerian Air Force, operating under the military campaign Operation HADIN KAI, conducted a precision airstrike on 11 April 2026 targeting suspected terrorist positions along the Jilli axis in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State. According to a statement issued by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the operation was “intelligence-led and deliberate,” aimed at degrading insurgent capabilities in one of the most volatile corridors in Nigeria’s North-East, rather than an indiscriminate attack on civilians. Authorities said the targeted location, widely referred to by locals as “Kasu Daulaye,”…