Susan Abayomi
Nigeria has declared that it neither possesses nuclear weapons nor has ever pursued a nuclear weapons programme, reaffirming its commitment to global efforts to eliminate nuclear-weapon testing.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, made the declaration during the UN General Assembly’s 108th Plenary Meeting of the 80th Session in New York.
Ibrahim, who conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s position, said Nigeria remains committed to international cooperation and maintains regulatory institutions, including the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, to oversee nuclear-related activities.
The envoy called for a review of Article 2(7) of the UN Charter, arguing that the principle of non-interference should not prevent global action against countries involved in nuclear testing or possessing weapons of mass destruction.
He said Nigeria collaborates with countries including Russia, China, France, South Korea and the United States to promote peaceful nuclear cooperation and strengthen international security.
Ibrahim also urged UN member states to intensify efforts towards ending nuclear testing, noting that Africa remains a nuclear-weapon-free zone committed to a safer world free from the threat of nuclear weapons.
