By Nkechi Eze
Nigeria has renewed its call for urgent global action to halt the production of fissile material, reaffirming its long-standing commitment to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. In an official signed statement, Mati Ali, the Personal Assistant Media & Publicity to the Honourable Minister, disclosed that the appeal was made by the Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, CON, mni, at the first Ministerial Meeting of the “Friends of an FMCT,” convened by Japan on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Speaking at the high-level gathering, the Minister described the proposed Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) as both a legal necessity and a moral duty. “Closing the fissile material gap is the most realistic way to stop an uncontrolled arms race,” he said. “The FMCT will rebuild trust, strengthen the Non-Proliferation Treaty and give momentum back to disarmament.”
Badaru urged the international community to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete steps, stressing that the world could not afford further delay, especially as 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. “The memory of Hiroshima and Nagasaki compels us to act with courage. The survival of humanity demands it,” he declared.
In his address, the Minister highlighted Africa’s leadership on nuclear restraint, citing the Treaty of Pelindaba, which established a nuclear-weapon-free zone across the continent. “Africa has shown that restraint is possible. Nigeria now calls for that same spirit to guide global action,” he stated.
Outlining Nigeria’s practical approach to accelerate progress toward an FMCT, the Minister called for a global moratorium on the production of fissile material for weapons, the dismantling or conversion of existing facilities for peaceful use, and the adoption of interim measures to build political momentum toward a universal, verifiable, and non-discriminatory treaty.
Badaru further linked Nigeria’s position to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, underscoring the intrinsic link between disarmament, security, and development. “Disarmament is not an abstract debate. Every step we take to reduce nuclear risks frees resources for health, education and economic growth,” he explained.
Nigeria’s firm statement in New York signaled its transition from a participant to a proactive leader in global disarmament efforts, positioning the country as a bridge-builder that seeks to align Africa’s achievements with global policy for a safer and more secure world.
