In a significant move to advance the Federal Government’s food security agenda, the Acting Chairman/CEO of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), Engr. Dr. Anthony Ekedegwa, today led a high-level delegation on a working visit to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Food Security, Barrister Yejide Ogundipe.

The visit, which took place in Abuja, focused on revitalizing the Commission’s Gamma Irradiation Facility (GIF) at the Nuclear Technology Centre in Sheda. The NAEC team presented the facility’s potential to significantly reduce post-harvest losses, aligning with the food security objectives of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration .

During the meeting, Engr.Dr Anthony Ekedegwa outlined the current challenges facing the GIF and proposed solutions for its reactivation. He advocated for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements to establish modular or mobile GIF units across the country, making the technology easily accessible to farmers and potential clients nationwide . The Acting Chairman also addressed common safety concerns, assuring the SSA and the public that irradiated agricultural products are safe for consumption .

In her response, Barrister Ogundipe acknowledged the importance of the facility and its alignment with the administration’s “Renewed Hope” agenda for food security. She emphasized the need to replicate the GIF at regional or state levels to improve food security. Moving forward, the SSA requested a comprehensive project proposal from NAEC, detailing the specific challenges of the GIF, its commercial viability, and its overall economic benefits. This is intended to facilitate further action and potential intervention for the Gamma Irradiation Facility.

The Management team accompanying the Ag. Chairman included the Director of Research and Nuclear Infrastructure Development (NRID), Engr. Justine Salu; the Director of the Nuclear Technology Center (NTC), Engr. Tajudeen K Mustapha ; the Deputy Director of International Cooperation and Liaison (ICL), Engr. Auwal Bissalah; and the Technical Assistant to the Acting Chairman Chairman NAEC (OCM), Dr. Uchenna Madu.

09/10/2025