The vice-president of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, has emphasized that Africa’s pressing concerns lie in tackling poverty and climate change, not in developing nuclear weapons capabilities.
- Vice-President Kashim Shettima highlighted Africa’s focus on addressing poverty and climate change rather than pursuing nuclear weapons capabilities.
- The CTBTO has a global monitoring network to detect nuclear and seismic activities, aiding in global safety and security.
- Dr. Floyd commended Nigeria’s contributions to nuclear non-proliferation through its agencies and leadership.
The vice-president of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, has emphasized that Africa’s pressing concerns lie in tackling poverty and climate change, not in developing nuclear weapons capabilities.
Speaking on Monday during a courtesy visit by Dr. Robert Floyd, Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), Shettima made it clear that the continent’s focus is on sustainable development.
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“We are fighting poverty; we are fighting a war against the relationship between the economy and ecology in sub-Saharan Africa. We have no business dabbling in anything that has to do with nuclear weapons.”
Nuclear monitoring
The CTBTO is a global body committed to prohibiting nuclear test explosions and strengthening international peace and security.
Shettima also sought to reassure the international community, saying fears that Africa could be used for nuclear weapons testing are unfounded.
According to him, nuclear conflict offers no positive outcome, and the continent should channel its energy toward addressing development challenges rather than focusing on military capabilities.
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He commended the CTBTO’s global network of 337 monitoring stations for its role in detecting nuclear activity, and monitoring seismic activities, including tsunamis and volcanic eruptions.
Commending Nigeria’s role in the global non-proliferation effort, the Executive Secretary of the CTBTO, Dr. Robert Floyd, praised the country’s leadership and consistent technical contributions through the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA).
