Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to the Treaty of Pelindaba, which declares Africa a nuclear weapon-free zone, during a high-level meeting on nuclear disarmament at the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
The Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, reiterated the country’s dedication to global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, describing Africa’s nuclear-free status as a “gift to ourselves and our unborn generations.”
The Minister made these remarks during the launch of the “Friends of Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty (FMCT),” an initiative hosted by Japan’s Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, to promote the prohibition of fissile material production for nuclear weapons and other explosive devices. Nigeria joined several nations in supporting the campaign, which aims to limit the quantitative advancement of nuclear arms worldwide.
During his address, Badaru underscored Nigeria’s leadership role in advocating for nuclear disarmament and emphasized the importance of the Treaty of Pelindaba, which has long established Africa as a nuclear-weapon-free zone.
He affirmed that Nigeria will continue to actively engage in international efforts to strengthen the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and support the FMCT’s objectives to prohibit fissile material production.
“Nigeria remains steadfast in its commitment to the disarmament goals of the NPT and the vision of a nuclear-free Africa through the Treaty of Pelindaba,” the Minister stated.
He further emphasized that enhancing the NPT and FMCT will promote transparency and cooperation between nuclear and non-nuclear states, fostering peaceful nuclear energy development.
Badaru called on African nations and the international community to support the FMCT initiative, while commending civil society organizations and stakeholders for their dedication to the cause.
He also emphasized that the FMCT, if adopted, will reinforce the NPT’s objectives and urged global cooperation to ensure its success.
The FMCT, once ratified, would represent a critical step towards limiting the production of fissile materials that could be used in nuclear weapons, thereby supporting international peace and security.
LV