Author: Vardiafrica

Justice Peter Odo Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party and others from participating in the 2027 general elections over alleged constitutional breaches. Justice Lifu issued the order on Monday while delivering judgment in a suit filed by a group of former lawmakers in the country. By the judgment, former Vice President and presidential candidate of the ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has no platform on which to contest the forthcoming presidential election. Similarly, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is billed to seek re-election in…

The 9th edition of the NCDMB/NTA Science Quiz Competition for Secondary Schools in Bayelsa State came to a close on Wednesday at the Nigerian Content Tower (NCT) Conference Centre, Swali, Yenagoa, with Kaiama Grammar School, Kaiama, in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, and Federal Government Girls College, Imiringi, Ogbia Local Government Area, clinching the top prizes, while Apex Academy, Yenagoa emerged second runner-up. Each of the three schools went home with prizes, including a set of top-of-the-range laboratory equipment, anatomical skeleton model, microscopes, an electronic compact scale, and a standard printer, while the six contestants received an HP laptop each for…

Nigeria’s fast growing carrier, United Nigeria Airlines, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau to establish a national airline for the West African nation named Air Bissau. Statement from the airline said the agreement, signed at the capital Bissau, marks the beginning of what both parties have described as a pivotal partnership that would improve Guinea-Bissau’s connectivity with the rest of the continent and the world.The MoU was signed on behalf of the Government of Guinea-Bissau by Dr. Florentino Mendes Pereira, Minister of Transport, Telecommunications and Digital Economy, and on behalf of United…

Seventy young graduates of engineering, geology and related disciplines on Thursday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, commenced a six-month human capital development (HCD) brush-up vocational training on multiple skill sets on the back of the 600 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd) Assa North-Ohaji Gas Facility Project of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited and Lee Engineering Limited in Imo State. The training structure, which consists of detailed instructor-led classroom sessions, extensive exposure to real-life operational challenges through hands-on training, covers critical aspects of forklift operations, mobile crane operations, scaffolding design and installation, electrical work, plumbing, refrigeration and air-conditioning. In…

The House of Representatives has extended the implementation of the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act to September 30, 2026, following an emergency plenary session convened pursuant to Order Five, Rule 2(2) of its Standing Orders. The extension followed the adoption of a Bill for an Act to amend the Appropriation (Repeal and Enactment) Act, 2025, to extend the implementation of the capital component of the Appropriation Act, 2025, from June 30, 2026, to September 30, 2026 (HB. 2784), moved by the House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, at plenary. The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has named Rotimi Amaechi, former minister of transportation, as the running mate to Atiku Abubakar, its presidential candidate, for the 2027 elections.  Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC spokesperson, announced the decision in a statement issued on Monday. The announcement finally put to rest weeks of speculation about Atiku’s choice of running mate for the 2027 polls. Atiku won the ADC presidential primary in May. He polled 1,846,370 votes to defeat Amaechi, who got  504,117 votes Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, former managing director of the defunct FSB International Bank, came third with 177,120 votes. Abdullahi said the NDC national leadership picked Amaechi after “extensive consultations…

The federal government has commenced another phase of the mass trial of suspected terrorists. The prosecution team is led by Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), while Aliyu Abubakar, director-general of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, is leading lawyers representing indigent defendants. The suspects are facing charges bordering on terrorism, terrorism financing, and aiding and abetting insurgent activities. Proceedings on Monday are being conducted simultaneously in multiple courtrooms at the federal high court complex in Abuja, with several judges assigned to the exercise. The trial is expected to last one week. Some of the judges handling the cases…

The Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGaPS) at Emeyal-1, in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State will become operational by the fourth quarter of 2026, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has reaffirmed. Towards the target date, the NCDMB is set to install a 2.5-megawatt Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) power plant at the park. The power plant is one of the key steps to getting the facility operational, as it will provide reliable and sustainable electricity supply to support industrial operations within the park. The General Manager Corporate Communications NCDMB, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi gave the assurance…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has advised the Nigerian government to consider introducing excise duties on telecommunications services and extending Value Added Tax (VAT) to fuel products as part of broader efforts to strengthen government revenue and create fiscal space for development spending. The recommendation was contained in the IMF’s latest Article IV Consultation Report on Nigeria, which highlighted the need for additional tax reforms to support the country’s long-term fiscal sustainability. According to the Fund, while the implementation of Nigeria’s recently signed tax laws is expected to improve revenue generation over time, further policy measures may be required to…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has unveiled a major regulatory proposal that could reshape the relationship between banks, fintech companies, and other financial institutions operating under the same corporate group. Under the proposed guidelines, banks and their affiliated companies would be required to operate more independently, with stricter boundaries designed to prevent customer funds from being used to support subsidiaries or related businesses. The move is part of the apex bank’s latest effort to strengthen consumer protection, improve transparency, reduce financial risks, and ensure greater stability within Nigeria’s rapidly evolving financial sector. According to the draft framework released by…