Vice-President Kashim Shettima has restated Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the global ban on nuclear tests, emphasizing that the country has no interest in pursuing nuclear weapons development.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by Dr. Robert Floyd, Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO), at the Presidential Villa on Monday, Shettima noted that Africa’s immediate priorities are rooted in overcoming poverty and dealing with climate change — not nuclear armament.
“The outcome of any nuclear conflict is never a win-win situation; it is always the opposite. We are fighting poverty; we are fighting a war against the relationship between the economy and ecology in sub-Saharan Africa.”
“We have no business dabbling in anything that has to do with nuclear weapons,” the Vice President said.
Shettima went on to reaffirm Nigeria’s dedication to the treaty, adding, “I want to assure and reiterate our commitment to a comprehensive nuclear test ban, and I want to appreciate your organisation for the extra vigilance you have taken, having 337 stations spread across the world. All seven tests conducted by DPR Korea were detected,” he noted.
He also commended the CTBTO’s contribution beyond nuclear monitoring, saying, “The beauty of CTBTO’s function is that its monitors also serve civilian purposes, especially in assisting us to detect tsunamis, volcanic seismic activities. Your functions are contributing to the global stability of our ecology.”
In response, Dr. Floyd praised Nigeria’s role in advancing the CTBTO’s objectives, acknowledging the country’s support under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He described Nigeria’s relationship with the organisation as a “natural partnership.”
Dr. Floyd further highlighted Nigeria’s contributions through its key institutions, the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), noting their valuable technical input and dedication to the goals of the CTBTO.
He underscored the life-saving potential of the data generated by these agencies, particularly in forecasting natural disasters and monitoring threats to environmental balance.
Echoing this sentiment, NAEC Acting Chairman, Engr. Anthony Ekedegwa, stressed that the collaboration with the CTBTO has been vital in building local capacity and strengthening Nigeria’s nuclear energy sector.
Similarly, Dr. Yau Idris, Director General/CEO of the NNRA, spoke about the agency’s efforts in ensuring Nigeria’s compliance with international nuclear testing regulations through its partnership with the CTBTO.
Also in attendance at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Dunoma Ahmed, CTBTO Senior External Relations Officer, Mr. Charles Oko, as well as senior officials from the Ministry, NAEC, and NNRA.
