Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear energy as part of efforts to advance national development and strengthen its role in global nuclear governance.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, made the declaration on Thursday while receiving the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), Anthony Inalegwu G. Ekedegwa, during a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
During the meeting, both officials reviewed Nigeria’s participation in global nuclear governance and explored ways to strengthen collaboration between the Ministry and NAEC, particularly in advancing the peaceful application of nuclear technology for national development.
Tuggar highlighted the growing strategic importance of atomic energy and nuclear technology in international relations, noting that nuclear issues remain central to discussions on energy security, technological advancement, and global peace and security.
He explained that although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not directly supervise NAEC, it played a crucial role in facilitating Nigeria’s engagement with international organizations and multilateral frameworks involved in nuclear governance.
The minister also stressed the need for sustained institutional cooperation to strengthen Nigeria’s voice in international nuclear diplomacy, especially within the United Nations system and related multilateral institutions.
Earlier, Ekedegwa commended the minister for granting the audience and briefed him on the activities and priorities of NAEC. He emphasized the importance of Nigeria’s continued engagement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), particularly in areas such as technical cooperation, capacity development, and the application of nuclear technology in healthcare, agriculture, water resource management, and industrial development.
Discussions also highlighted Nigeria’s long-term plans to develop nuclear power infrastructure as part of efforts to diversify the nation’s energy sources and support sustainable economic growth.
Both sides agreed on the importance of coordinated diplomatic and technical engagement to advance Nigeria’s nuclear energy aspirations in line with international safety standards and global non-proliferation commitments.
The meeting ended with a mutual commitment to deepen collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission in promoting Nigeria’s strategic interests in the global nuclear arena and harnessing nuclear science and technology strictly for peaceful and developmental purposes.
