About us
By its enabling Act, the Commission consists of the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer and between six to eight Members/Commissioners. Presently, the Commission maintains three technical Commissioners on full-time basis while the other members are on part-time basis. In order to reinforce and broaden the coordination base for policy formulation, three advisory bodies, namely: the Ex-Officio Members, the Nuclear Energy Programme Implementation Committee (NEPIC) and the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), are also included in the process of the Commission’s policy formulation and implementation strategies
NAEC
Background Information
The Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), created by Act 46 of 1976 (as amended by Cap N91 LFN, 2004), is the national focal agency charged with the responsibility for the promotion of the development of atomic energy and for all matters relating to the peaceful use of atomic energy. NAEC was, however, activated and became fully operational in July, 2006 under the aegis of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, by the appointment of its pioneer Director-General/Chief Executive Officer. In March 2011, Mr. President approved the reconstitution of NAEC, as a Commission to operate within the Presidency, by the appointment of the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer and six members in consonance with Section 4(1) of NAEC’s enabling Act.
Functions of the Commission
As mandated by its enabling law, NAEC is charged with the principal responsibility of developing the framework and technical pathway to explore, exploit and harness atomic energy for peaceful applications in all its ramifications for the socio-economic development of Nigeria in conformity with the policies of the Federal Government (FG). Particularly, in furtherance of FG’s policy to increase as well as diversify the national electricity generation base beyond the traditional sources of gas, oil and hydro to include nuclear and the renewable sources, NAEC is vested with the mandate to develop and implement the national nuclear power roadmap for the deployment of nuclear power plants (NPPs) so as to realise base-load and clean electricity generation in the country. Furthermore, the peaceful applications of nuclear technology in agriculture and food sector, medicine and human health, water resources management, industry, and in environmental management, as well as in basic and applied scientific research are within the purview of the Commission’s functions.
Specifically, as provided for in the enabling Act, the Commission is mandated to:
- Construct and maintain nuclear installations for the purpose of generating electricity;
- Produce, use and dispose of atomic energy and carry out research into matters connected with the peaceful uses of atomic energy;
- Manufacture or otherwise produce, buy or otherwise acquire, treat, store, transport, and dispose of any radioactive substances;
- Prospect for and mine radioactive minerals
- Educate and train persons in matters connected with atomic energy and radioactive substances;
- Advise the Federal Government on questions relating to atomic energy.
- Make arrangements with universities and other institutions or persons in Nigeria to conduct research into matters connected with atomic energy or radioactive substances
Policy Objectives
To streamline, harmonize, promote and coordinate R&D activities for capacity building and infrastructure development in nuclear technology
To fast-track and catalyse the process of development and deployment of nuclear power plants for electricity generation in Nigeria.
To develop the requisite legal framework for the deployment of nuclear power plants in Nigeria within a strict regulatory regime, and in due compliance with the three cardinal planks of safety, security and safeguards.
To liaise with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) and other international organizations for the implementation of national programmes.
To streamline, harmonize, promote and coordinate the diverse applications of nuclear science and technology in agriculture, water resources management, human health, minerals exploration and manufacturing among others, for the socioeconomic development of Nigeria.
To develop a comprehensive manpower programme which includes:
- Developing and introducing core training programmes in nuclear science and engineering in institutions of higher learning in Nigeria for the actualization of the critical mass of needed indigenous manpower for the nuclear industry, and,
- Developing, networking and creating opportunities for fellowships and advanced training in nuclear science and technology in international organizations and advanced facilities in other countries.
History of the Commission
Following the enactment of NAEC Act in 1976, the Federal Government, in 1978 established two university based research and training centres; Centre for Energy Research and Development (CERD) at the Obafemi Awolowo University, then University of Ife, Ile-Ife and Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
These centres had the mandates to conduct researches, develop and train manpower in nuclear technology, engineering and sciences. The Nuclear Technology Centre (SHESTCO) at Sheda, Abuja was established in 1988 as the third training and research centre in nuclear technology. Two centres were also established by NAEC in 2010; these are Centre for nuclear energy studies, University of Portharcourt, and Centre for nuclearenergy training & research, university of maiduguri. Specifically, the country’s plan is to develop nuclear technology for application in medical and human health, food and agriculture, management of water resources and energy sector among others.
The Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), as created by Act 46 of 1976 (as amended by Cap N91 LFN, 2004), is the national focal agency charged with the responsibility for the promotion of the development of atomic energy and for all matters relating to the peaceful use of atomic energy. NAEC was activated and became fully operational in July, 2006 under the aegis of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, by the appointment of its pioneer Director-General/Chief Executive Officer Dr Erepamo Franklin Osaisai.
However, in March 2011, Mr. President approved the reconstitution of NAEC, as an independent and self-accounting Commission to operate within the Presidency, by the appointment of the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer and six Members/Commissioners in consonance with Section 4(1) of NAEC’s enabling Act. This executive decision by Mr. President was made in order to strategically position the Commission to successfully deliver its core mandate so as to strengthen government’s commitment towards achieving long-term broad-based socio-economic growth in the country as envisioned in the key objectives of the national and regional aspirations such as NEEDS, NEPAD, MDG and SDG, amongst others.