No Hidden Nuclear Project at ABU Zaria – Management Clarifies

The management of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has refuted claims that the institution is involved in a covert nuclear project.

The attention of Management of Ahmadu Bello University has been drawn to an allegation in a newsletter, emphasizing peaceful uses in line with IAEA charter. Before now, Nigeria was a “Treaty” (TNP) in 1968. All these are pointers to the desire of the country to peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Under the aegis of ABU Governing Council, the Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) of Ahmadu Bello University was established by the Federal Government in 1960, which two years later in 1962, commissioned the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC). CERT swung into action immediately with other nuclear stakeholders from USA, Russia, China, etc. The 34 kW Nuclear Research Reactor, the Nigeria Research Reactor-1 (NIRR-1), a notable facility acquired in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2004. The reactor, which was running on weapons grade Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU), was converted to Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) in line with Global Threat Reduction Initiatives (GTRI) in 2018 with openness and transparency to develop nuclear energy.

The foregoing development attests to the peaceful nuclear watchdog and other from the US. The current LEU core in the reactor was designed locally, but it was fabricated in South Africa. The second LEU core is underway as alleged in the video.

By 1987, CERT had no nuclear facility in operation apart from the 14 MeV neutron generator, which became non-functional in 1996. The Nigeria Research Reactor-1 (NIRR-1) was initiated in 1996 under the IAEA technical Cooperation programme that culminated into the commissioning of the first nuclear reactor in Nigeria in 2004.

Historical Notes
It is on record that the test of an Atomic Bomb by France in the Sahara Desert in 1960 was the first activity that triggered the interest of the Federal Government in nuclear energy. The President, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, established the Radiation Protection Service (RPS) in the Department of Physics, University of Ibadan, being the only one in the country. This was to monitor the adverse effect of the test on citizens and environment.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 1964, signifying its intention for peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology only.

Following the advancement and sophistication of nuclear technology in South Africa, the Murtala Mohammed Regime in 1976 pronounced ABU, Zaria and Ahmadu Bello University to drive Nigeria’s nuclear profile life as two institutions to drive Nigeria’s nuclear profile programme as stated in the video.

Conclusion
Nigeria and ABU have always pursued peaceful application of nuclear energy. This was demonstrated by the country through the establishment of the Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) in 1960 and the second through the National Museum of Atomic Energy at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the USA on 22nd July, 1962. ABU established the Centre for Energy Research and Training to fulfill the dream of our founder through the provision of facilities and services for peaceful uses for the advancement of humanity.

Signed:
Management.

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