Nuclear Aware Africa (NA) has called for a strategic partnership with the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) to counter misinformation and disinformation surrounding nuclear science and technology in Nigeria and across Africa.

The request was made during a courtesy visit by the Nuclear Aware Africa delegation to the Acting Chairman/CEO of NAEC, Eng.Dr Anthony Ekedegwa where discussions centered on advancing public awareness and advocacy for the peaceful application of nuclear science, technology and innovation.

The meeting opened with goodwill and congratulatory remarks to the Acting Chairman of NAEC on his recent achievements at the Commission. The leader of Nuclear Aware Africa Mr Nse-Abasi Ayara briefed the Acting Chairman on the organization’s departmental structure and operations likewise its ongoing effort to promote peaceful nuclear applications across key sectors of the economy.

During the visit, the group formally sought NAEC’s collaboration in the fight against false narratives and misconceptions about nuclear technologies.

Speaking at the meeting, the Head of Information and Public Relations(IPRU) NAEC, Mr. Amos Obeya, briefed the delegation on the Commission’s ongoing stakeholder engagement and advocacy activities across local communities and the country. He advised Nuclear Aware Africa to seek collaboration with the Atomic Energy Committees at the National Assembly as part of its sensitization drive.

Meanwhile, the Head of ICL-NAEC, Engineer Auwal Bissalah, commended Nuclear Aware Africa, particularly noting its excellence in podcast hosting. He urged the team to scale up awareness and advocacy efforts in partnership with NAEC, leveraging the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) global initiatives to integrate nuclear power into the worldwide energy mix.
In his response, the Acting Chairman/CEO of NAEC, Engr. Dr Anthony Ekedegwa commended Nuclear Aware Africa for its proactive work and encouraged the team to persist in debunking myths surrounding nuclear in Nigeria and across the continent—particularly in areas of its strategic peaceful application in the health sector, use of radioisotopes for cancer care and oncology, radiopharmacy and the socio-economic benefits of using the Multi-Purpose Research Reactor and the Gamma irradiation facility for agriculture and food security.

The Acting Chairman also briefed the delegation on the potential of integrating nuclear energy into Nigeria’s energy mix considering it’s constant baseload compared to other sources that are intermittent and space consuming.