Nigeria's Nuclear Power Plans Still On Track, Says IAEA Chief

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, said talks about Nigeria’s nuclear power plans are still ongoing. This is happening alongside continued technical discussions with the relevant authorities in Nigeria.

Mr Grossi shared updates on the nuclear power deal with Nigeria while answering questions from PREMIUM TIMES at an IAEA event in Vienna, Austria.

The IAEA chief mentioned that the agency is still collaborating with Nigeria on its nuclear power strategy. IAEA officials have made visits and held meetings with key stakeholders to push the plan forward.

In May 2024, during a visit to Nigeria for a seminar on promoting cancer awareness, Mr Grossi expressed the agency’s willingness to assist Nigeria in its nuclear power ambitions. He met with top government officials, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

While speaking at the seminar, he called Nigeria’s quest for nuclear energy “a logical move for a country of your (Nigeria’s) size and importance.”

When this newspaper asked Mr Grossi about the status of the discussions and meetings since his last visit two years ago, he confirmed that talks are still active.

“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,” said the IAEA DG.

However, he pointed out that no final decision has been made on the nuclear programme yet. He noted that Nigeria’s status as a major oil producer makes its situation unique compared to other countries.

“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 explained.

The IAEA boss emphasized that discussions about the programme are still ongoing, but Nigeria has various energy options to consider.

“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 added.

Nigeria’s nuclear energy programme follows the guidelines and safety standards set by the IAEA. The goal is to add clean and stable nuclear electricity to the national grid. The programme is mainly managed by the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) and is said to be progressing through the foundational infrastructure and planning stages.

Earlier in September 2023, Nigeria signed its Country Programme Framework (CPF) for 2024, 2029 during the General Conference. A CPF is the guideline for medium-term planning of technical cooperation between a member country and the IAEA. It highlights priority areas for nuclear technology transfer and technical resources to support national development goals.

Nigeria has been an IAEA member since 1957. The agency states that its fourth CPF for 2024, 2029 identifies five priority areas: nuclear and radiation safety and security; food and agriculture; health and nutrition; water and environment; and energy planning and development.