Author: Vardiafrica

The movie, “Behind the Scenes”, directed by Nollywood filmmaker and actor Funke Akindele, has become the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time in Africa after surpassing the N2bn box office mark. The record-breaking performance was disclosed on Monday by the film’s distributor, FilmOne Entertainment, which announced that the movie has grossed N2,103,039,706 in ticket sales. Confirming the milestone in a post on X, the distributor said the film had “officially broken and shattered records,” noting that it is the first Nollywood production in Africa to cross the N2bn box office threshold. FilmOne added that the achievement places Behind the Scenes…

Security has been significantly reinforced at the Kano State Government House following widespread speculation that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf may be considering a defection from his party. On Monday, a heavy security presence was observed at the main entrance of the Government House, with combined operatives from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) deployed to key strategic points. Access into the complex was subjected to heightened scrutiny, as visitors underwent rigorous identification checks by security personnel. Speculation Over Rift With Kwankwaso The intensified security measures come amid growing political tension linked to rumours of a…

Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says he has nothing personal against Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation. In an interview with Channels Television on Sunday, Olukoyede spoke about inheriting the files accusing Malami of corruption. In December 2025, the EFCC arraigned Malami at the federal high court in Abuja over allegations bordering on money laundering. The former justice minister was arraigned alongside his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and his wife, Bashir Asabe, on a 16-count charge. They pleaded not guilty to the charges. BACKGROUND Malami had alleged that his detention, investigation and “threatened prosecution” were politically motivated following…

The Federal Government (FG) and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) are set to formalise a landmark signed agreement aimed at strengthening industrial harmony, improving teaching and learning conditions, and advancing sustainable development within the Nigerian university system. In a statement signed by the director in charge of Public Relations at the Ministry of Education, Folashade Boriowo, the official unveiling ceremony for the signed agreement is scheduled to hold on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. prompt, at the Conference Hall, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), No. 6 Zambezi Crescent, Maitama, Abuja. It said the ceremony will be…

The Federal Government on Sunday inaugurated the N40 billion Close Circuit Television Camera (CCTV) Centre of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State. The CCTV centre was built by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). Inaugurating the centre, the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, said that the current administration met a ‘very terrible Third Mainland Bridge’. ‎”When we came on board in 2023, we met a very terrible Third Mainland Bridge, Carter Bridge and Iddo Bridge both on the pavement, surface, infrastructure above the water and even infrastructure below the water. ‎”The president, therefore, directed total re-evaluation and rehabilitation of…

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially opened investigations into the disturbing incidents that followed the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 quarterfinal encounter between Algeria and Nigeria. In a statement released on Sunday, CAF confirmed that several Algerian players and members of the technical crew confronted match officials immediately after the final whistle, protesting decisions made during the high-stakes encounter. The situation reportedly escalated when some members of the Algerian contingent followed the referees into the tunnel — an action CAF described as “unacceptable” and a clear violation of the competition’s disciplinary regulations. Beyond the confrontation with officials, CAF also…

President Bola Tinubu arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday night to attend the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), opening this Monday. This marks a significant step in Nigeria’s pursuit of green energy investment and international climate cooperation. The Presidential aircraft landed at the Zayed International Airport at 11:30 p.m. local time, following the President’s working visit to Europe. Before arriving in the UAE, President Tinubu held high-level strategic talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, focusing on regional security and economic partnerships. The President was accorded a formal reception at the airport’s Presidential…

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned nationwide strike following what it described as significant progress recorded on its demands through sustained engagements with the Federal Government and other key stakeholders. The decision was taken at a virtual Emergency National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held on January 11, 2026, where the association reviewed the status of its demands and assessed recent developments. The association said the suspension followed direct presidential intervention led by Vice President Kashim Shettima on behalf of President Bola Tinubu. The suspension, the Secretary-General of NARD, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, said, is strategic and…

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has called for calm among the people of the state amid the ongoing impeachment process initiated by the State House of Assembly. Fubara made the call during a church service held to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, assuring residents that everything would be fine. The governor explained that his decision to remain silent in the face of distractions was deliberate, noting that he draws strength from his faith in God. He said, “The reason why I don’t complain is that I know who I know who I am, I have what is supreme…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Sunday reacted to calls for his sack. Wike said President Bola Tinubu, who appointed him, has the right to sack him if he has nothing else to offer. He spoke during his thank you visit to Obiora/Akpor area of Rivers State. The minister noted that the people of Rivers State should be proud of his work in the FCT. He said: “Don’t bother about people who say sack me because it doesn’t lie in their mouth, if my appointor believes that I can’t offer anything again he has the…