Speaker
Onyinyechi Oguejiofor
(Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Nigeria)
Description
Objective:
To highlight the interest of Nigeria in Nuclear Applications.
Nuclear Applications in Nigeria
Nigeria is the largest oil producer in Africa and is currently the world’s 12th largest oil producer, pumping 2.25 million barrels per day.
According to the U.S. government’s Energy Information Administration, “Nigeria has one of the lowest net electricity generation per capita rates in the world. Electricity generation falls short of demand, resulting in load shedding, blackouts and a reliance on private generators. Nigeria has privatized its state-owned Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) with aim of greater investment and increased power generation’’.
On 24th March 2014, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan at the Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) in The Hague said that Nigeria will develop a nuclear energy industry. Most Nigerians see nuclear power as a means of providing electricity. He also told the NSS audience that Nigeria is committed to negotiations on a "multilateral, internationally and effectively verifiable treaty banning the production of fissile materials for nuclear weapons. While the Nigerian Nuclear Program was founded in 1976, Nigeria’s civilian nuclear energy aspirations began in 2007, when the then-President Umaru Yar'Adua said the country planned to add nuclear power to the national grid by 2017. After the accident at the nuclear power plant "Fukushima" some countries have decided on the gradual closure of nuclear power plants. However, the world is not going to give up the peaceful atom.
Conclusion:
Nigeria’s interest in nuclear applications for energy generation is not without fear of nuclear and radiological accidents which primarily involves nuclear power plant leaks, should be seriously tackled with as more developing countries nurtures its interest in nuclear technology and applications.
| Country or International Organization | Nigeria |
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Primary author
Onyinyechi Oguejiofor
(Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Nigeria)
