Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Global Nuclear Test Ban – VP Shettima
….Says Africa’s Priority Is Fighting Poverty and Climate Change, Not Nuclear Weapons
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has restated the country’s unwavering commitment to a comprehensive global nuclear test ban, affirming that Nigeria remains focused on addressing poverty, climate change, and economic sustainability—not the pursuit of nuclear weapons capability.
Vice President Shettima made this known on Monday during a courtesy visit by Dr. Robert Floyd, the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO), to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
“The outcome of any nuclear conflict is never a win-win situation—it is always the opposite,” Shettima stated.
“We are fighting poverty and addressing the complex interplay between the economy and ecology in sub-Saharan Africa. We have no business engaging in nuclear arms development.”
He praised CTBTO’s global vigilance and noted that all seven nuclear tests conducted by the DPR Korea were successfully detected due to the organization’s extensive 337-station monitoring network.
Shettima also highlighted the civilian and ecological benefits of CTBTO’s activities, including early detection of natural disasters such as tsunamis and volcanic activity, contributing to global environmental safety.
“Your monitoring work contributes to the global stability of our ecology and enhances early warning systems,” he added.
In his remarks, Dr. Robert Floyd commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its continued leadership and commitment to nuclear disarmament and regulation.
He described Nigeria as a natural and strategic partner in achieving CTBTO’s global mission.
“Nigeria’s contributions—through the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA)—have been instrumental in global efforts to reduce nuclear testing and uphold international peace and stability,” Dr. Floyd said.
He acknowledged the technical inputs and data shared by Nigerian agencies, which he said play a critical role in early disaster detection and environmental monitoring.
NAEC and NNRA Reaffirm Nigeria’s Technical Commitment
Also speaking, Anthony Ekedegwa, Acting Chairman of the NAEC, underscored the value of Nigeria’s partnership with CTBTO in capacity-building and technical advancement.
Dr. Yau Idris, Director-General of the NNRA, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to global compliance with nuclear safety and test ban regulations, describing the collaboration as a model for effective international cooperation.
The visit reinforces Nigeria’s position as a leading African voice on nuclear disarmament, environmental protection, and peace-building, aligning with global efforts to ensure a safer, more sustainable future.
