Introduction
In the history of nuclear weapons, Nigeria is one of the countries that has been at the forefront in opposing nuclear weapons. Issues related to nuclear weapons are matters of international concern. The major concerns that are related to nuclear energy include mining, the generation of nuclear fuel from ore, and also electricity generation from nuclear power. Various measures have been put forward both nationally and also internationally in a bid to regulate efficiently the use of nuclear energy among various states (Nafeez, p22). There are various international treaties and agreements which are signed by countries especially under the UN umbrella. The use of nuclear energy and the possession of nuclear weapons is an international issue. Nigeria is a developing nation and its need for nuclear energy has led it to plans of constructing an energy plant but this has greatly been influenced by the political factors in the country. The country is faced with various challenges in its ability to obtain nuclear technology. In 1946, the UN formed the resolutions on nuclear weapons which called for the elimination of atomic weapons and other major weapons of mass destruction.
Nuclear-energy program
Nigeria has not been able to successfully set up nuclear energy programs. This owes to the many challenges that the country faces in its efforts to set up the programs. The country is especially faced with a lot of political influences from its leaders especially because the project is a capital-intensive program. The country has also challenges related to corruption such that completion of programs is not achieved. There is also the challenge of lack of finances and also the ability to handle the risks and wastes that may result from such programs (Priye).
Terrorism
Nigeria is a country that has been a subject of terrorist attracts. The rise in terrorism has created a lot of fear of attacks. The government has made an effort of approving bills on anti-terrorism. The bill enables the government to prosecute the members of terrorist groups and also to ban the existence of such groups within the country. It is also very keen on the various groups that form in the society especially those of Islamic origin that may seem to look like Taliban groups of terrorism. Kidnapping and victims held hostage is very common in Nigeria especially the foreign oil workers.
Non-proliferation regime
Nigeria is committed to the non-proliferation regime. In 1960, the country declared its stand regarding nuclear weapons by establishing ratification of NPT and also the African Nuclear Weapon free zone treaty. This indicates its commitment towards a nuclear weapon-free world. The United Nations started the non-proliferation research in 1996 especially with the recognition of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban-Treaty. President Olusegun Obasanjo signed the treaty on behalf of Nigeria in New York during the United Nations Millennium Summit. In 1995 during the review of the NPT, the Nigerian Minister of foreign affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi stated that “ It is possible to give up the possession of nuclear weapons without loss of status or diminished security.” (Nafeez, p27)
Conventions and resolutions
In 1972, Nigeria signed the Biological Weapons Convention in a bid to fight terrorism. Nigeria also supports the chemical convention which bans the production, acquiring, storage, and also retaining of either direct or indirect transferring of chemical weapons. This convention also prohibits preparing chemical weapons or assisting any country in any way that engages in chemical weapons. Nigeria signed this convention in May 1999. In conclusion, Nigeria has recommended various reviews on the bills and resolutions on terrorism which will enable the government to be more vigilant on the terrorist suspects and groups (Nafeez, p46).
Work cited
Nafeez Ahmed. Behind the War on Terror: Western Secret Strategy New Society Publishers, 2003, p21-57.
Priye S. Torulagha. Nigeria’s nuclear energy program: is the country ready. Web.