Nigeria remains committed to global nuclear test ban — Shettima

By Kunle Sanni –

Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the global ban on nuclear testing, stressing that the country has no interest in nuclear weapons amid pressing socio-economic challenges.

Shettima made this known on Monday during a courtesy visit by Dr. Robert Floyd, Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO), at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Highlighting Africa’s priorities, the Vice President said, “The outcome of any nuclear conflict is never a win-win situation. We are fighting poverty and the economic-ecological crises in sub-Saharan Africa. We have no business dabbling in anything related to nuclear weapons.”

He reiterated Nigeria’s strong support for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and commended the CTBTO’s global monitoring efforts, noting that the organisation had successfully detected all seven nuclear tests conducted by North Korea through its 337 stations worldwide.

Shettima also acknowledged the civilian benefits of CTBTO’s work, particularly in disaster prediction and ecological monitoring. “The beauty of CTBTO’s function is that its monitors also serve civilian purposes, especially in detecting tsunamis and seismic activity,” he noted.

In his remarks, Dr. Floyd praised Nigeria for its consistent leadership in nuclear non-proliferation and described the country’s partnership with the CTBTO as both strategic and natural.

He commended the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) for their technical expertise and dedication to international nuclear safety standards.

Dr. Floyd added that Nigeria’s monitoring systems have provided valuable data for disaster preparedness and environmental protection, reinforcing the global relevance of its nuclear oversight institutions.