NAEC marks 20 years of the safe operation of Nigeria’s Nuclear Research Reactor (NIRR-1) at the Center for Energy Research and Training (CERT), Zaria. To celebrate this milestone, the CERT organized a one day symposium on Thursday, 2nd May,2024 with the theme: “Achievements, Challenges and Prospects”.

Declaring the symposium open, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, represented by his SA, on Technical Matters, Prof. Bolaji Babatunde commended NAEC and CERT for it’s commitment towards the utilisation of the NIRR-1 for the training of personnel critical in the deployment of Nuclear science and technology for the socio-economic development of the country.
Chairman/CEO, NAEC, Prof Yusuf A. Ahmed, in his remarks said, “the safe operation of a reactor in any country is important as a means of confidence building and an assurance of safety to the public and international community”.

He further emphasized that the reactor has contributed significantly to national economic development in the areas of:
i. Soil fertility mapping
ii. Health and nutrition
iii Mining and geosciences
iv. Education and training of nuclear scientists
v.Standardisation of analytic methods
vi. Water resources management,etc.
Nigeria, he said will continue to be a “role model for other African countries that have research reactors in the effective deployment of nuclear science and technology” to advance development in the lives of its people.
Other dignitaries that graced the occasion are;Prof Ango Abdulahi,Former VC, ABU, Zaria, Prof. Kabiru Bala, VC,  ABU, Zaria, Prof. Sunday Jonah, Director, CERT, Deans of Faculties, ABU, Zaria.
Presentations at the symposium centered on:
Operational Experience: safety, security and safeguard by Prof. G.I.Balogun,NIRR-1 in Education and Training by Prof. S.A. Jonah, Agriculture and food security by Prof. M.O.A. Oladipo, Prospects for nuclear power electricity generation and medical applications by Prof Onoja etc.