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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.
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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 NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has organized a specialized one-day training program for officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), FCT Command, aimed at strengthening the enforcement of Motor Third-Party Insurance and other compulsory policies across Nigerian roads.
The initiative, held in Abuja, focused on equipping law enforcement officers with advanced skills to fast-track insurance policy verification and eliminate the proliferation of fake insurance certificates.
The training was themed “Building a Culture of Insurance Compliance: Police as Catalysts for Protecting Lives, Property and Enhancing Public Safety.” It was designed to empower officers to promote statutory compliance, verify the authenticity of insurance covers during routine checks, and help deepen public appreciation of insurance benefits.
Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner for Insurance/CEO of NAICOM, Mr. Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, Mr. Ekerete Ola Gam-Ikon underscored the strategic importance of the collaboration between the regulatory body and the NPF.
He noted that effective public safety extends beyond traditional crime prevention to shielding citizens from the severe financial consequences of unforeseen disasters.
“Insurance serves as a vital social and economic safety net, providing protection for individuals, families, businesses, and public institutions against losses arising from accidents, disasters, and other risks,” Mr. Gam-Ikon stated.
He added that the partnership is critical to reducing the high volume of uninsured vehicles on the roads, protecting commuters, curbing the use of counterfeit insurance certificates, and boosting public trust in regulatory institutions. These objectives, he emphasized, directly align with the provisions of the newly enacted Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025 and NAICOM’s mandate to deepen market penetration.
The commission highlighted the unique leverage the Nigeria Police Force possesses due to its daily interactions with motorists, business owners, and the public. By strictly enforcing compulsory insurance laws, police officers act as key drivers in reducing accident-related financial hardships and enhancing overall public safety.
During the technical sessions, participants received practical training on:
The core objectives and benefits of compulsory insurance lines.
Standardized digital and manual insurance policy verification procedures.
The foolproof identification of genuine insurance certificates.
The legal framework governing compliance under NIIRA 2025.
The program successfully strengthened the institutional bridge between NAICOM and the NPF, encouraging officers to act not just as law enforcers, but as grassroots advocates for insurance literacy.
Long-Term Commitment
Moving forward, NAICOM reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining close ties with law enforcement and relevant stakeholders to eliminate fake insurance vendors, improve nationwide compliance levels, and position the insurance sector as a meaningful contributor to Nigeria’s economic growth and social stability.
The Commission urged the officers of the FCT Command to champion this cause, fostering an environment where insurance is embraced not merely as a statutory obligation, but as an indispensable tool for safeguarding lives, investments, and livelihoods.
The post NIIRA 2025: NAICOM Engages Police to Curb Fake Insurance Certificates on Roads appeared first on Business Today NG.
Africa’s leading food manufacturing company, BUA Foods Plc, has proposed a dividend of N28.00 per ordinary share, totalling about N504 billion for the 2025 financial year.
Africa’s leading food manufacturing company, BUA Foods Plc, has proposed a dividend of ₦28.00 per ordinary share, totalling about ₦504 billion for the 2025 financial year.
The company stated that the proposal is subject to shareholders’ approval at its 5th Annual General Meeting, scheduled for 15 July at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. At the meeting, shareholders will also consider the company’s audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025, as well as other statutory and corporate governance matters.
For the 2025 financial year, BUA Foods reported revenue of ₦1.77 trillion, representing a 16 per cent increase over the previous year. The company also recorded a 95 per cent growth in profit after tax to ₦518.4 billion. In comparison,ile total assets increased by 27 per cent to ₦1.39 trillion, reflecting continued investment in manufacturing capacity and capabilities, operational excellence, and long-term value creation.
The food manufacturer noted that the meeting follows a period during which BUA Foods delivered strong financial performance, enhanced operational efficiency, and reinforced its position as one of Nigeria’s most valuable consumer goods companies.
Meeting agenda
Commenting ahead of the meeting, the Managing Director of BUA Foods Plc, Ayodele Abioye, said the AGM would provide an opportunity to engage shareholders, review the company’s performance, and discuss its future direction. He noted that despite a challenging operating environment, the company sustained strong performance through disciplined execution and its commitment to delivering quality food products.
Mr Abioye attributed BUA Foods’ achievements to the support of customers, supply partners, its board, management, employees, and other stakeholders. He added that BUA Foods would continue to focus on creating sustainable long-term value through investments in capacity expansion and strengthening food security in support of national development.
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“The 5th Annual General Meeting provides an important opportunity to engage with shareholders, reflect on another year of strong performance, and discuss the future direction of the business. Despite a dynamic operating environment, BUA Foods continued to demonstrate resilience through disciplined execution and an unwavering commitment to delivering quality food products to millions of consumers. Looking ahead, the focus remains on creating sustainable long-term value through continuous investments in capacity expansion, with capabilities that strengthen food security for national development,” Mr Abioye said.
The food company reaffirmed its commitment to delivering sustainable returns, strengthening stakeholder confidence, and advancing its purpose of nourishing lives every day.
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