Vice President Kashim Shettima has said that Nigeria is not interested in building nuclear weapons. Instead, he said the country is focused on solving big problems like poverty and climate change.
He spoke during a meeting with officials from the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organisation, CTBTO, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The group was led by its head, Dr Robert Floyd.
“Nuclear war helps no one,” Shettima said. “In Africa, especially in Nigeria, we are trying to end poverty and deal with climate change. We do not need nuclear weapons.”
He also said Nigeria is fully behind the global agreement to stop nuclear testing. He added that Nigeria would rather use its time and energy to build the economy and protect the environment.
The Vice President praised the CTBTO for its work in keeping the world safe. The group has 337 stations around the world that monitor nuclear activity. These stations have helped detect every nuclear test done by North Korea.
Shettima also said the same technology used to watch nuclear activity helps to warn people about natural disasters like tsunamis and volcanoes.
In his speech, Dr Floyd praised Nigeria for supporting peace and safety in the world. He said Nigeria has been a strong partner and thanked the country for helping stop the spread of nuclear weapons.
