Nigeria VP Shettima Reaffirms Commitment to Nuclear Test Ban, Prioritizes Poverty Climate Challenges

Nigeria’s Vice-President Kashim Shettima has affirmed that the country has no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons, emphasizing that Africa’s priority lies in combating poverty and addressing climate change rather than developing nuclear capabilities. During a meeting with Dr. Robert Floyd, Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), Shettima reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to the comprehensive nuclear test ban and praised the CTBTO's monitoring efforts, which also aid in detecting tsunamis and seismic activities. He highlighted the importance of global stability and peace, noting that nuclear conflicts never yield positive outcomes. Dr. Floyd commended Nigeria’s leadership under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for its contributions to nuclear test reduction and the establishment of strong international norms against nuclear testing. He also recognized Nigeria as a valuable partner, citing the technical support from national agencies like the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority. The dialogue underscores Nigeria’s focus on peaceful nuclear technology for civilian use, such as energy development, while firmly rejecting nuclear weapons development.