Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

Nigeria has strengthened its bond with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO), solidifying its stance on banning nuclear tests. This development comes as Vice-President Kashim Shettima receives Dr. Robert Floyd, the Executive Secretary of CTBTO, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Shettima emphasizes Africa's priority in addressing pressing issues like poverty and climate change, rather than pursuing nuclear capability. He commends the CTBTO's contribution to detecting nuclear tests and natural disasters, while appreciating the organisation's vigilance and global ecological stability contributions.

Key Takeaways:

• Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty through collaboration with the CTBTO.
• The country prioritizes addressing existential challenges such as poverty and climate change over nuclear weapons capability.
• The CTBTO's role in detecting nuclear tests and natural disasters, including tsunamis and volcanic seismic activities, was highlighted by Vice-President Shettima.
• The organisation's 337 stations worldwide were appreciated for their vigilance, with all seven nuclear tests conducted by DPR Korea being detected.
• Nigeria's partnership with the CTBTO has been instrumental in building capacity and equipping the NAEC, with the centre playing a key role in the development of the nuclear sector.
• The NAEC and NNRA are focal agencies contributing to Nigeria's partnership with the CTBTO.

Statistics:

• 337: The number of stations spread across the world by the CTBTO.
• 7: The number of nuclear tests conducted by DPR Korea, all of which were detected by the CTBTO.
• Global ecological stability: The CTBTO's contributions to this aspect were appreciated by Vice-President Shettima.

Sources:

• Nigerian government press release
• Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO).
• "Nigeria commends CTBTO, vows commitment to complete nuclear test ban treaty"