On Friday, 25th April, the Director General of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), Dr. Yau Idris, paid a working visit to the headquarters of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC).
The NNRA delegation was warmly received by the Acting Chairman of NAEC, Engr. Anthony Ekedegwa, in his office. The primary objective of the visit was to explore collaborative efforts between the two agencies to enhance the implementation of Nigeria’s nuclear energy programme.
Discussions during the meeting focused on three key areas:
1. Expansion of NEA Membership :
A proposal by the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), to expand its membership to include Nigeria and other African nations. Inclusion in the NEA would position Nigeria to access critical international funding and support, essential for the sustainable development of its nuclear sector. The NEA is an intergovernmental agency that fosters cooperation among countries with advanced nuclear technologies, with a focus on nuclear safety, science, environmental protection, legal frameworks, and the peaceful economic use of nuclear energy.
2. Acceleration of Nigeria’s Nuclear Policy :
The need to fast-track the review and implementation of Nigeria’s national nuclear energy policy was emphasized as a top priority to ensure coherent and strategic sectoral development.
3. Planning a National Nuclear Energy Conference :
The stakeholders agreed on the urgency of organizing a national nuclear energy conference or summit. This event would bring together relevant stakeholders across government, academia, industry, and international partners to deliberate on the future of nuclear energy in Nigeria.
Both NAEC and NNRA agreed to reconvene in the coming week to finalize and concretize the arrangements discussed during the meeting.