Nigeria has renewed its call for urgent global action to halt the production of fissile material, stressing that the survival of humanity depends on bold steps toward nuclear disarmament.
The Minister of Defence, H.E. Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, CON, mni, made the appeal on Thursday at the first Ministerial Meeting of the “Friends of a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT),” convened by Japan on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Describing the treaty as both a legal necessity and a moral duty, Badaru warned that closing the fissile material gap was the most realistic way to stop an uncontrolled arms race.
“The FMCT will rebuild trust, strengthen the Non-Proliferation Treaty and give momentum back to disarmament,” he said.
The Minister reminded world leaders of the lessons from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, 80 years after the atomic bombings.
“The memory of Hiroshima and Nagasaki compels us to act with courage. The survival of humanity demands it,” he declared.
Nigeria underscored Africa’s leadership in nuclear restraint, citing the Treaty of Pelindaba which established a nuclear-weapon-free zone across the continent. According to Badaru, “Africa has shown that restraint is possible. Nigeria now calls for that same spirit to guide global action.”
To fast-track progress toward an FMCT, the Minister proposed three immediate measures:
- A global moratorium on the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons;
- The dismantling or conversion of existing facilities to peaceful uses;
- The use of these interim measures to build political momentum for a universal, verifiable and non-discriminatory treaty.
He further linked Nigeria’s position to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that disarmament, security and development are inseparable.
“Disarmament is not an abstract debate. Every step we take to reduce nuclear risks frees resources for health, education and economic growth,” Badaru emphasized.
Nigeria’s strong position, observers noted, signals a shift from participation to leadership in global disarmament diplomacy, positioning the country as a bridge-builder between regional achievements and international policy.
LV