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EXCLUSIVE: Nigeria’s nuclear power programme plans still alive – IAEA DG
The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, said discussions on Nigeria’s nuclear power programme remain alive, amid continuous technical engagements with concerned authorities in the West African country.
Mr Grossi disclosed the progress made on the nuclear power arrangement with Nigeria while responding to a PREMIUM TIMES’ enquiry at an IAEA programme in Vienna, Austria.
The IAEA DG said the agency continues to work with Nigeria on its nuclear power plan and IAEA officials had held visits and technical meetings with relevant stakeholders to actualise the dream.
In May 2024, while on a visit to Nigeria for a seminar on ‘Promoting Cancer Awareness and Advocacy Programmes’, Mr Grossi expressed the agency’s readiness to support Nigeria’s efforts to develop a nuclear power programme during meetings with senior government officials, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
Speaking during the visit, he described Nigeria’s pursuit of nuclear energy as “a logical move for a country of your (Nigeria’s) size and importance.”
When this newspaper asked Mr Grossi about the progress of the discussions and technical meetings since the visit two years ago, the IAEA DG reassured that discussions are still ongoing.
“We have continued working with Nigeria, I have to tell you. It’s not that after that visit, things stopped. We have continued at technical levels, some visits, and technical meetings,” the IAEA DG said.
He noted, however, that no final decision has been taken on the programme, adding that Nigeria’s status as a big crude oil-producing nation makes its situation quite different from other economies.
“There hasn’t been a decision yet. There is like a pre-decision to explore the alternative. Of course, your country (Nigeria) is a big oil producer country, an exporter, etc. So the discussion in your country is different from that in other countries,” the DG said.
The IAEA boss insisted that the conversation around the programme is still alive, but Nigeria’s energy options are quite diversified.
“It’s a matter of diversification more than a matter of need, maybe. But the conversation space is pretty much alive, I must say,” Mr Grossi said.
Nigeria’s nuclear energy programme operates under the guidance and safety standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), aiming to add clean, stable nuclear electricity to the national grid. The programme is managed primarily by the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) and is said to be advancing through the foundational infrastructure phases and planning stages.
READ ALSO: Survival logic of nuclear deterrence: The Iranian, Israeli, and American conundrum, By Jacob Edi
Earlier in September 2023, Nigeria signed its Country Programme Framework (CPF) for the period of 2024–2029 on the margins of the General Conference. A CPF is the frame of reference for the medium-term planning of technical cooperation between a Member State and the IAEA and identifies priority areas where the transfer of nuclear technology and technical cooperation resources will be directed to support national development goals.
Nigeria has been an IAEA Member State since 1957 and, according to the agency, its 4th CPF covering the period 2024 – 2029 identifies five priority areas, such as nuclear and radiation safety and security; food and agriculture; health and nutrition; water and environment; as well as energy planning and development.
BY JAMES NWACHUKWU—The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), on Tuesday released the results of the recently conducted 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) Mop-Up Exercise.
According to statement posted by JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, that Candidates who participated in the examination can check their results through the Board’s established result-checking channels.
Following the successful conclusion of the mop-up exercise and the release of the results, the Board will commence the ranking of candidates.
Thereafter, the printing of results for admission purposes is expected to begin before the weekend.
The statement added that the board appreciates the patience, understanding, and cooperation of all candidates and stakeholders throughout the conduct of the 2026 UTME and the subsequent mop-up exercise.
The post JAMB Releases 2026 UTME Mop-Up Results, Sets Date for Result Printing appeared first on Business Today NG.
Enugu State is counting on its new airline and the concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, enugu, to support its plan of growing the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion by 2031, the Secretary to the State Government, Chidiebere Onyia, said on Tuesday.
Mr Onyia spoke during the Renewed Hope Media Tour of the airport, where he outlined how the state government’s plans to use aviation, tourism, and agriculture to drive economic growth.
According to him, the airport concession is part of a broader strategy by Governor Peter Mbah’s administration to re-position Enugu as a major economic hub in the South-east.
“We looked at Enugu as an economic hub where tourism, hospitality, investment and aviation can work together to drive growth,” he said.
Mr Onyia said the state expects an increase in visitor traffic in the coming years and believes air transport will play an important role in supporting that growth.
He explained that the government’s projections are linked to plans to attract tourists, investors and businesses to the state.
According to him, depending entirely on commercial airlines could limit the state’s ability to move people into Enugu efficiently.
That, he said, informed the decision to establish Enugu Air.
“If we’re expecting people to come into Enugu, then we can’t depend solely on third-party airlines based on their schedules,” he said.
Mr Onyia disclosed that Enugu Air has six aircraft, describing it as the first phase of the project.
The state government also expects the aviation project to support tourism development.
Mr Onyia said efforts are ongoing to revitalise tourist sites across the state, including attractions expected to draw more visitors to Enugu.
He said that improved access to the state would complement investments in tourism and hospitality by making it easier for visitors to travel to various destinations.
“If people are going to come here for tourism, they need to be able to get into Enugu, and when they get into Enugu, we’ll need places for them to visit,” he said.
He also noted that the airport infrastructure will also support the state’s agricultural development plans through cargo operations.
According to him, the cargo terminal will make it easier to move goods and agricultural produce within and outside the state, creating more opportunities for businesses and investors.
“This is also going to help our agricultural investment outlook because this is where the cargo terminal will be, where we can move things in and out of the state,” he said.
He added that the government’s vision is to use aviation infrastructure to strengthen trade and economic activities across the region.
Private sector-led approach
Mr Onyia said the state adopted a private sector-driven model for the airline and airport projects to ensure efficiency and sustainability.
According to him, professionals with industry experience have been involved in developing the airline and setting up its governance structure.
He said the approach is intended to avoid challenges often associated with direct government management of commercial enterprises.
READ ALSO: ENSSAA to begin enforcement against unauthorised outdoor advertisements across Enugu State
Providing an update on the airport concession process, Mr Onyia said October has been set as the timeline for the next phase of activities.
He explained that the current stage marks an important milestone in the project and will allow concessionaires and contractors to begin work at the site.
Mr Onyia also acknowledged the support of President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Aviation in advancing the project.
According to him, federal approvals helped move the initiative from the planning stage to implementation.
The concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport followed approval by the Federal Executive Council as part of efforts to attract private investment into airport infrastructure.
In January, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, signed a concession agreement with Aero Alliance for the operation of the airport.
Under the arrangement, ownership of the airport remains with the Federal Government, while the concessionaire will operate, maintain, and upgrade the facility.
The project has attracted public attention in recent months as the Federal Government and Enugu State continue efforts to re-position the airport as a major gateway for business, tourism and trade in the South-east.
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