The Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) received a delegation from the Nigeria Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging on Tuesday, July 2, 2026, led by Prof. Chizindu A. Alikor of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.

The Society commended NAEC’s role in developing nuclear medicine in Nigeria over the last 20 years and presented five key areas for partnership. These include collaboration on IAEA technical projects, support under the IAEA “Rays of Hope” Initiative to address gaps in nuclear medicine equipment nationwide, expanded training for nuclear physicians and medical physicists, joint research, and support for the Society’s planned maiden edition of its Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference in Abuja this October.

Responding, the Acting Chairman of NAEC, Engr. (Dr.) Anthony Ekedegwa, welcomed the partnership but stressed the need for indigenous capacity building and greater commitment from government hospitals. He noted funding challenges and IAEA arrears as major constraints. The Head of International Cooperation and Liaison, Engr. Awwal Bisallah, added that IAEA projects must be driven by institutions and urged the Society to engage the government through the Federal Ministry of Health to address facility and manpower gaps.

Both parties agreed to deepen collaboration to advance nuclear medicine services across Nigeria.