Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the global ban on nuclear weapons testing, stating that the country has no interest in pursuing nuclear weapons capabilities.
The Vice President made this declaration during a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa by a delegation from the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO), led by its Executive Secretary, Dr Robert Floyd.
Speaking during the meeting, Shettima highlighted the enormous socio-economic challenges confronting Nigeria and the African continent at large. These, he said, include entrenched poverty and the escalating effects of climate change.
According to him, in light of these pressing concerns, the pursuit of nuclear weapons would be counterproductive and contrary to the continent’s priorities.
“We are fighting poverty; we are fighting a war against the relationship between the economy and ecology in sub-Saharan Africa,” Shettima said. “We have no business dabbling in anything that has to do with nuclear weapons. The outcome of any nuclear conflict is never a win-win situation; it is always the opposite.”
He went on to reassure the CTBTO of Nigeria’s full alignment with the objectives of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, stating, “I want to assure and reiterate our commitment to a comprehensive nuclear test ban, and I want to appreciate your organisation for the extra vigilance you have taken, having 337 stations spread across the world. All seven tests conducted by DPR Korea were detected.”
The Vice President also praised the CTBTO’s contributions beyond nuclear monitoring, acknowledging its critical role in civilian applications such as early warning systems for tsunamis, tracking of volcanic seismic activity, and overall support for ecological stability.
He expressed Nigeria’s appreciation for the organisation’s global surveillance infrastructure, which continues to play a significant role in safeguarding peace and environmental health.
In his remarks, Dr Robert Floyd, Executive Secretary of the CTBTO, commended Nigeria for its leadership and longstanding support of international nuclear non-proliferation efforts.
He noted that under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria has demonstrated commendable commitment to the goals of the CTBTO, contributing to the global decline in nuclear weapons testing and upholding strong international norms against it.
Dr Floyd described the relationship between the CTBTO and Nigeria as a “natural partnership,” emphasizing the key roles of the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) in facilitating collaboration and upholding treaty obligations.
He praised the technical contributions of these agencies and the dedication they have shown in aligning Nigeria with the CTBTO’s mission.
He concluded by applauding Nigeria’s voice on the international stage, stating that the country’s stance continues to inspire other African nations to prioritise peaceful and sustainable alternatives to nuclear armament.
What You Should Know
Vice President Kashim Shettima has reiterated Nigeria’s full support for the global nuclear test ban, stressing that Africa’s focus should remain on combating poverty and climate change.
During a meeting with CTBTO chief Dr Robert Floyd, Shettima dismissed any interest in nuclear weapons and highlighted Nigeria’s civilian and ecological contributions to the treaty’s goals.
