The Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), in collaboration with the Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has unveiled plans to utilise nuclear science and technology to enhance electricity generation in Nigeria.
Prof. Yusuf-Aminu Ahmed, Chairman of NAEC, made this announcement during the 20th Anniversary Symposium of Nigeria’s first Nuclear Research Reactor-1 (NNR-1) in Zaria.
Ahmed stated that the extensive experience gained over the years in nuclear power at the centre positions Nigeria to venture into the next phase of power generation through nuclear reactors.
“We have used the reactor for research and development over the years and now we are going to use the reactor to generate electricity.
“President Bola Tinubu has already given the commission a mandate to see how it contributes to the clean energy sphere of Nigeria, and the nuclear energy programme of Nigeria would participate,’’ Ahmed remarked.
He revealed that the project timeline would not be publicly disclosed but noted that international partners and vendors were collaborating closely with the commission on the initiative.
Furthermore, Ahmed mentioned that intergovernmental agreements had been signed with some vendors regarding nuclear power in Nigeria, and President Tinubu would soon make an official announcement on the matter.
Earlier in his address, Sen. George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, commended the 20 years of safe operation of the nuclear research reactor, highlighting Nigeria’s commitment to the safe application of nuclear energy.
Represented by his Special Assistant on Technical Issues, Prof. Bolaji Babatunde, Akume emphasised that since the centre had operated the nuclear research reactor safely for two decades, it was well-equipped to acquire a nuclear reactor for electricity generation.
“President Tinubu has re-echoed the need for having nuclear energy as the source of electric power generation in Nigeria, and Nigerians should look forward to this power.
“Electricity generated through nuclear energy is clean and safe except for human errors or natural causes such as the one that happened in Hiroshima,’’ he asserted.
Prof. Sunday Jonah, the Director of the centre, highlighted the event’s significance in commemorating 20 years of safe operation, maintenance, and utilisation of the first Nuclear Research Reactor, NNR-1. However, he expressed concern about NAEC’s purported attempt to take control of the centre from the university through the proposed NAEC Bill 2022.
Jonah emphasised that such a move would contradict the vision of the centre’s founders, who established it within universities to foster a culture of research and development.
