Nigeria has reaffirmed its strong commitment to global nuclear disarmament, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons testing while focusing on more pressing national and continental priorities such as poverty alleviation and climate change.
Vice President Kashim Shettima made the pledge during a meeting with a delegation from the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO), led by Executive Secretary Dr. Robert Floyd, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday.
Shettima noted that for Africa, particularly sub-Saharan regions, the urgency lies in addressing socio-economic inequalities and environmental challenges rather than pursuing nuclear capabilities.
He described nuclear conflict as a zero-sum game, warning that the humanitarian and ecological consequences of such weapons leave no winners.
He commended the CTBTO for its effective global monitoring systems, including 337 international stations that have successfully detected all nuclear tests conducted by North Korea.
According to him, CTBTO’s advanced detection capabilities also play a critical civilian role by assisting countries in identifying natural threats such as tsunamis and seismic activities, thereby contributing to global ecological safety.
In reaffirming Nigeria’s support for a comprehensive nuclear test ban, the Vice President also praised the organisation’s broader role in strengthening global peace and stability.
CTBTO’s Executive Secretary Robert Floyd applauded Nigeria’s continued leadership on nuclear disarmament, especially under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
4fHe described Nigeria’s collaboration with CTBTO through institutions such as the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) as essential to regional and global progress.
Floyd emphasized the importance of the data shared by Nigeria’s nuclear agencies in supporting international early warning systems that help mitigate environmental disasters and other risks to ecological balance.
Also speaking at the meeting, Acting Chairman of NAEC, Anthony Ekedegwa, highlighted the value of the partnership in building local capacity and advancing the peaceful use of nuclear technology in Nigeria.
3cDirector General of NNRA, Yau Idris, echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of Nigeria’s joint efforts with CTBTO to enforce compliance with global nuclear non-testing standards.
The high-level meeting was attended by senior government officials, including Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, and CTBTO Senior External Relations Officer, Charles Oko.
This renewed assurance of Nigeria’s stance against nuclear testing comes at a time when the country and the wider African continent are grappling with major development and environmental challenges.
The government’s clear emphasis on sustainability over military advancement reflects a broader strategy geared towards peace, resilience, and inclusive growth.
