Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, OON, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The Minister made the call when he received in the audience the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), Engr. Dr. Anthony Inalegwu G. Ekedegwa on Thursday, 5th March 2026, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja. This was contained in a statement signed by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, anipr, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.
The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to review Nigeria’s participation in global nuclear governance and explore avenues for enhancing collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, particularly in advancing the peaceful uses of nuclear technology for national development.
In his remarks, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar highlighted the strategic importance of atomic energy and nuclear technology in contemporary international relations, noting that nuclear issues remain central to global discussions on energy security, technological development, and international peace and security. He observed that although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not the direct supervisory authority of the Commission, it plays a critical role in facilitating Nigeria’s engagement with international organizations and multilateral frameworks relating to nuclear governance.
The Honourable Minister further emphasised the need for sustained institutional collaboration between the Ministry and the Commission in order to strengthen Nigeria’s voice in international nuclear diplomacy, particularly within the United Nations system and related multilateral institutions. He also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding position in support of the peaceful application of nuclear science and technology to advance socio-economic development.
Earlier, Engr. Dr. Ekedegwa expressed appreciation to the Honourable Minister for granting the audience and briefed him on the activities and priorities of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission. He underscored the importance of Nigeria’s continued engagement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other relevant international bodies, particularly in areas relating to technical cooperation, capacity development, and the application of nuclear technology in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, water resource management, and industrial development.
Discussions further highlighted Nigeria’s long-term interest in the development of nuclear power infrastructure as part of efforts to diversify the country’s energy mix and support sustainable economic growth. Both sides acknowledged the importance of coordinated diplomatic and technical engagement in advancing Nigeria’s nuclear energy aspirations in line with international safety standards and global non-proliferation commitments.
The meeting concluded 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 in harnessing nuclear science and technology for peaceful and developmental purposes.
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