Nigeria Rules Out Nuclear Weapons, Pledges Focus on Poverty Reduction and Climate Action

 

Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to global peace and nuclear disarmament, ruling out any ambitions to develop or acquire nuclear weapons as it prioritises the urgent task of lifting millions of its citizens out of poverty and tackling the mounting challenges of climate change.

This assurance came during a recent meeting in Abuja between Vice President Kashim Shettima and Dr. Robert Floyd, the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO). The meeting reaffirmed Nigeria’s decades-long position as a staunch supporter of nuclear non-proliferation, even as the country works to harness nuclear energy strictly for peaceful and developmental purposes.

Speaking at the meeting, Vice President Shettima declared that the idea of pursuing nuclear arms holds no place in Nigeria’s national plans. He noted that the country’s real battles are economic and environmental, and any distraction from these pressing issues would only worsen the struggles faced by ordinary Nigerians.

“We have no business dabbling in anything that has to do with nuclear weapons,” Shettima said. “Our fight is against poverty and the existential threats posed by climate change. Any engagement in nuclear conflict benefits no one and only brings untold devastation.”

Nigeria is a signatory to multiple international treaties aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, including the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). The CTBT, which Nigeria ratified in 2001, prohibits all nuclear explosions anywhere in the world, whether for military or civilian purposes. By upholding these commitments, the country continues to align itself with global norms that seek to rid the world of the threat of nuclear warfare.

Dr. Floyd, who was on an official visit to strengthen cooperation with Nigeria, praised the country for its leadership in promoting nuclear disarmament and peaceful nuclear use in Africa. He noted that Nigeria’s technical institutions, such as the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, have played important roles in strengthening capacity for peaceful nuclear applications and compliance monitoring.

During the discussions, both sides highlighted how the CTBTO’s vast network of monitoring stations not only detects nuclear tests but also provides valuable data for early warning of natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis. For Nigeria, this technical support adds value to its disaster management systems and contributes to national security in non-military ways.

Nigeria’s firm rejection of nuclear weapons is particularly significant at a time when global tensions are high in various regions, and some countries are modernising or expanding their nuclear arsenals. For Africa’s most populous nation, the choice is clear: channel scarce resources towards development priorities instead of an arms race that does not serve its people’s best interests.

Over the years, Nigeria’s foreign policy has consistently promoted peace and security both within Africa and globally. The country has contributed troops and support to regional peacekeeping missions and has worked through multilateral institutions like the African Union and the United Nations to advocate for disarmament and conflict resolution.

Yet at home, the reality of poverty remains stark. According to World Bank estimates, over 40 percent of Nigerians live below the poverty line, with millions more at risk due to inflation, unemployment, and the impacts of climate change such as flooding, desertification, and rising food insecurity.

These challenges have made the case for a focus on economic and environmental priorities even more urgent. The Tinubu administration, which took office in 2023, has repeatedly stated that its main goals are to rebuild the economy, create jobs, and secure a sustainable future through policies that mitigate the effects of climate change.

Nigeria’s Climate Change Act, signed into law in 2021, provides a framework for the country’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060. As part of this effort, the government is investing in renewable energy projects, encouraging sustainable agricultural practices, and working to protect its forests and water resources.

Vice President Shettima stressed that all these efforts require collaboration with international partners who share Nigeria’s vision of development without the threat of nuclear conflict. He called on other nations to renew their commitments to the CTBT and other disarmament frameworks, arguing that true security comes not from stockpiling weapons but from creating conditions for economic prosperity and environmental sustainability.

The reaffirmation of Nigeria’s position has been widely welcomed by civil society groups and regional security analysts, who see it as a positive step that aligns with Africa’s long-standing vision of a nuclear-weapon-free continent. Many have urged the government to match its diplomatic words with tangible actions that tackle poverty head-on, invest in education and healthcare, and protect vulnerable communities from the worsening impacts of climate change.

 

As the country looks ahead, its leadership hopes to inspire other nations to view disarmament as an investment in the well-being of future generations. For Nigeria, the message is simple but clear: the path to lasting peace and prosperity lies not in nuclear bombs but in empowering its people and safeguarding the planet they call home.