Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), insisting that the country has no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons development. Shettima made this declaration on Monday while receiving the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO), Dr. Robert Floyd, during a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, the Vice President emphasised that Nigeria, like many other African nations, is more concerned with addressing pressing socioeconomic challenges such as poverty, environmental degradation, and the climate crisis than with the pursuit of nuclear armament. “We have no business dabbling in anything that has to do with nuclear weapons,” Shettima stated. “We are fighting poverty and addressing the link between the economy and the environment in sub-Saharan Africa.”
Shettima commended the CTBTO for its global monitoring efforts through its International Monitoring System, which consists of 337 verification facilities spread across the world. He acknowledged the effectiveness of the body’s operations, particularly in detecting all seven nuclear tests conducted by North Korea over the years.
Beyond nuclear detection, the Vice President also highlighted the wider relevance of the CTBTO’s monitoring network in providing early warning systems for natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis, adding that such systems contribute significantly to global humanitarian and environmental safety.
In his remarks, Dr. Floyd lauded Nigeria for its active engagement and support for the CTBT, especially through the efforts of national institutions such as the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA). He praised Nigeria’s leadership role in advocating for nuclear disarmament and for promoting international cooperation on nuclear safety.
Also present at the meeting were the Acting Chairman of NAEC, Anthony Ekedegwa, and the Director-General of the NNRA, Dr. Yau Idris, both of whom restated Nigeria’s dedication to the treaty. They acknowledged the CTBTO’s role in building national capacity through technical assistance and collaboration with Nigerian agencies.
Nigeria ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty in 2001 and has remained a strong voice from Africa pushing for a world free of nuclear weapons. The country’s consistent support for disarmament and non-proliferation efforts aligns with its long-standing foreign policy of peace, multilateral cooperation, and sustainable development.
