Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO).
Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering stance on prohibiting nuclear weapons testing, expressing support for ongoing cooperation with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO).
Speaking on Monday at the Presidential Villa during a courtesy visit by CTBTO’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Robert Floyd, Shettima emphasized the importance of Nigeria’s role in upholding global peace through disarmament.
He stressed that the continent’s immediate concerns are rooted in combating poverty and addressing environmental challenges, not in pursuing nuclear armament or weapons development.
“There are no victors in a nuclear exchange—only devastation. Our energies are focused on economic survival and tackling the climate crisis, especially across sub-Saharan Africa,” Shettima said.
“We have no interest or intention in engaging in nuclear weapons pursuits. Let me firmly restate our dedication to the total prohibition of nuclear testing worldwide.”
The Vice President also praised CTBTO’s vigilance, acknowledging the global network of 337 monitoring stations which successfully detected all nuclear trials carried out by North Korea.
He further applauded the dual-purpose role of CTBTO’s surveillance tools, which also help monitor geological disturbances like volcanic activity and undersea earthquakes that could lead to natural disasters.
“Your organization plays a vital part not just in enforcing nuclear bans but also in supporting global ecological balance,” Shettima added.
In his remarks, Dr. Floyd commended Nigeria for its steadfast leadership under President Bola Tinubu in promoting international norms against nuclear experimentation and fostering a safer world.
He referred to the bond between Nigeria and CTBTO as one built on shared values and objectives, emphasizing it as a mutually beneficial alliance.
Dr. Floyd also spotlighted the vital contributions from Nigeria’s key institutions—the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA)—in advancing the treaty’s objectives.
He praised the technical expertise and active participation of Nigerian agencies in generating critical data, which has proven crucial in both disaster response and the protection of the environment.
In his address, Acting NAEC Chairman Anthony Ekedegwa noted that the collaboration with CTBTO has significantly boosted local expertise and enhanced the nation's infrastructure in the nuclear science domain.
Meanwhile, Dr. Yau Idris, Director-General of NNRA, emphasized the importance of their engagement with CTBTO in enforcing international standards and ensuring compliance with the global ban on nuclear tests.