Author: Vardiafrica

Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, has taken steps to reduce transnational crimes by strengthening collaboration with Chinese immigration authorities through enhanced intelligence sharing and capacity building.‎‎The partnership is aimed at tackling transnational crimes, improving border management and strengthening the capacity of immigration personnel to respond to emerging security threats.‎‎The decision was taken at the just concluded global Sub-Forum on Migration Management Cooperation held in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province China, with over 2,000 delegates from 139 countries and international organisations present.‎‎The Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap also held a bilateral meeting with the National Immigration administration of China, where both institutions discussed issues…

The pump price of petrol in Abuja has climbed to as high as N1,430 per litre, as marketers adjust their prices following an increase in the ex-depot price by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. The Dangote refinery raised its ex-depot, or gantry, price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N1,265 to N1,350 per litre, triggering a fresh round of pump price adjustments across major filling stations in the capital. On Sunday stations were adjusting prices upward in line with the new benchmark. At MRS filling stations, petrol now sells for N1,395 per litre, up from N1,350. Mobil outlets have raised their…

The National Drug  Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned Nigerians against accepting consolidated cargoes sent from abroad without knowing their full contents, saying some are being contaminated with illicit drugs. The agency said some Nigerians abroad were sending cargoes containing substances such as Colorado and Loud to family members and friends in Nigeria, who were listed as consignees or recipients. The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, raised the alarm in a post on X on Sunday. Babafemi said unsuspecting recipients risked arrest and prosecution if the consignments were found to contain illicit drugs. He wrote: “RED ALERT!…

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has fined RwandAir N15 million over a consumer protection violation involving the airline’s failure to resolve a passenger’s damaged baggage complaint within the stipulated timeframe. Michael Achimugu, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, disclosed the sanction in a post on his X handle. According to Achimugu, the airline was fined for failing to resolve the baggage-related complaint within the timeframe prescribed by Nigeria’s aviation consumer protection regulations. In addition to the N15million fine, the NCAA directed RwandAir to replace the passenger’s damaged bag and pay $170 as first-need compensation.…

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the National Community Food Bank Programme for the South-East geopolitical zone and commissioned a digital skills centre at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State. The initiatives formed part of the First Lady’s official visit to Anambra State, where she was received by Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his wife, Mrs Nonye Soludo, alongside government officials and other stakeholders. The South-East Community Food Bank, unveiled at the Old Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, is part of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), the Nigerian Government’s social intervention programme. The food…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) yesterday launched a technology-powered smart fuelling station at the headquarters of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Abuja, with plans to roll out between 50 and 70 similar facilities across the country within the next six months. Executive Vice President, Downstream, NNPC, Mumuni Dagazau, who disclosed the expansion plan while speaking with journalists shortly after commissioning the facility, described the Abuja station as the first of several smart stations the company plans to establish. This, he said, is part of the moves to transform its traditional filling stations into integrated energy and…

BRICS members and partner countries have begun arriving in New Delhi, India, for the group’s 18th Summit scheduled for 12 and 13 September at Bharat Mandapam. The international geopolitical and economic organisation comprises 11 major emerging markets and developing countries: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed the arrival of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the early hours of Friday. At the same time, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is said to arrive later in the day. Chinese President Xi Jinping will arrive…

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to resume its suspended nationwide strike, accusing the Federal Government and some state governments of failing to honour the 2025 agreement reached with the union. The union, in a statement signed by its National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, on Friday, said it could activate the suspended industrial action without any further notice if its demands were not urgently addressed. Piwuna said the decision followed an emergency meeting of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) held on September 5, 2026, stressing that ASUU would not accept responsibility for the consequences of another…

The National Assembly has suspended all official visits to South Africa and directed lawmakers and staff to boycott legislative activities hosted or organised by South African parliamentary institutions. The decision follows growing concerns over recurring xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa. The directive contained in a statement by the House of Representatives spokesman, Akin Rotimi, was issued by the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives and communicated to lawmakers, committees, departments and staff by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana. The National Assembly expressed concern over reports of Nigerians being killed,…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has empowered Persons Living with Disabilities, PWDs, in Akwa Ibom State, committing to greater inclusion in its development programmes. Speaking during the empowerment programme, held in Uyo to commemorate the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, the NDDC Director, Akwa Ibom State office, Engr. Evong Evong, said the Commission was committed to promoting inclusion, empowerment, equality, and improved livelihoods for persons with disabilities and other underserved members of society through advocacy, capacity building, partnerships, and community-based initiatives. Evong stated: “Disability should never be a hindrance to achieving one’s dreams or goals. Our aim is…