Speaker
Description
This paper presents Nigeria’s comprehensive emergency preparedness initiative for nuclear material transport, led by the Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In anticipation of a high-security transport operation involving nuclear fuel, CERT coordinated a multi-stakeholder training program that included the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and other critical agencies. The centrepiece of this initiative was a technical workshop tailored specifically to Nigeria’s transport context. Conducted with IAEA support, the workshop focused on regulatory frameworks, operational logistics, and inter-agency coordination. A tabletop exercise embedded within the workshop simulated a transport-related security incident, testing Nigeria’s emergency response framework in real time. The scenario revealed gaps in communication and resource deployment, leading to targeted improvements in national protocols. CERT also extended training to airport personnel, including customs officers, cargo handlers, and aviation security staff, ensuring preparedness across all transport modalities. Evaluation metrics showed marked improvements in response time, situational awareness, and coordination. This paper demonstrates how targeted, scenario-based training and inclusive stakeholder engagement can build national capacity for managing nuclear material transport emergencies. Nigeria’s experience offers a scalable model for other Member States.
