“Nigeria Not Pursuing Nuclear Weapons Programme” – UN Permanent Rep, Ibrahim

By Ayodele Oni

Nigeria’s Permanent Representative at the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, has told the UN General Assembly that Nigeria does not possess nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and has never pursued a nuclear weapons programme,

Ibrahim made the declaration while addressing the United Nations General Assembly at the 108th Plenary Meeting of the 80th Session in New York.

He noted that Africa remains a nuclear-weapon-free zone and has rejected nuclear explosive testing on the continent.

The Nigerian envoy, who is also Chairman of the UN Committee on Budget and Administration, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to international efforts aimed at ending nuclear weapons testing and eliminating the threat posed by weapons of mass destruction.

He also called for a review of Article 2(7) of the United Nations Charter, which establishes the principle of non-intervention in matters essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of states.

According to Ibrahim, the principle should not be used to prevent the international community from taking action against countries that conduct nuclear weapons tests or possess weapons of mass destruction.

“Nigeria neither possesses nuclear weapons nor has ever pursued a nuclear weapons programme,” Ibrahim said, conveying the position of President Bola Tinubu.

He said Nigeria has established institutions and regulatory mechanisms to monitor nuclear-related activities and address issues concerning weapons of mass destruction.

Ibrahim identified the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission as one of the key institutions responsible for overseeing the country’s nuclear activities and regulatory framework.

He added that Nigeria maintains cooperation with several countries, including Russia, China, France, South Korea and the United States, as part of its commitment to international collaboration on nuclear matters.

The envoy said President Tinubu has directed him to reaffirm Nigeria’s readiness to strengthen international partnerships aimed at eliminating nuclear weapons testing.

Ibrahim also stated that Nigeria aligned itself with the statement delivered by the African Group and congratulated member states on the 30th anniversary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).

He noted that Africa remains a nuclear-weapon-free zone and has rejected nuclear explosive testing on the continent.

The Nigerian representative urged UN member states to sustain efforts towards the complete elimination of nuclear weapons testing, arguing that such measures were necessary to make the world safer and free from the threat posed by nuclear weapons.

He also congratulated member states on what he described as progress recorded over the past three decades in the global campaign against nuclear weapons testing.