Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amb. Jimoh Ibrahim, has called for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons, emphasizing that humanity cannot continue to rely on weapons capable of destroying civilization for collective security. Speaking at a high-level UN meeting on nuclear disarmament in New York, Jimoh stated that Nigeria firmly believes that the only absolute guarantee against the use or threat of nuclear weapons is their complete elimination. The meeting was held to commemorate the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.
According to Jimoh, thousands of nuclear warheads remain in existence, while nuclear-weapon states continue modernization programs amid rising geopolitical tensions and growing pressure on global arms-control arrangements. He stressed that Nigeria neither possesses nuclear weapons nor considers them necessary for its national security, adding that the country's security depends on dialogue, international law, multilateral cooperation, and the equal security of all countries. Jimoh also stated that President Bola Tinubu's administration remains committed to international efforts aimed at achieving a world free of nuclear weapons.
The Nigerian representative urged nuclear-weapon states to honor their disarmament obligations under Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and to fulfill longstanding commitments toward the irreversible, transparent, and verifiable elimination of their nuclear arsenals. He added that the continued modernization of nuclear weapons and reliance on nuclear deterrence only heighten the risks of miscalculation, escalation, and catastrophic humanitarian consequences. Jimoh reaffirmed Nigeria's strong commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as a cornerstone of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.
Jimoh highlighted Africa's experience under the Treaty of Pelindaba, which established the continent as a nuclear-weapon-free zone. He said Nigeria remains proud of Africa's contribution to global nuclear disarmament and supports the establishment and strengthening of nuclear-weapon-free zones in other regions. The ambassador also encouraged countries yet to join the prohibition treaty to consider doing so as part of collective efforts toward eliminating nuclear weapons.
While advocating nuclear disarmament, Jimoh stressed that Nigeria supports the right of countries to develop and use nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes. He said such peaceful applications should comply with international obligations and contribute to healthcare, agriculture, energy, water management, and sustainable development. Jimoh emphasized that the choice before the international community is clear: collective security cannot continue to depend on weapons capable of destroying humanity.
The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons seeks to mobilize global action and public awareness about the threat nuclear weapons pose to humanity and the necessity of their total elimination. Jimoh pledged Nigeria's continued engagement with other UN Member States to advance practical, inclusive, and verifiable multilateral measures toward complete nuclear disarmament. He stated that Nigeria, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will continue to work with all Member States toward achieving a safer, more peaceful, and nuclear-weapons-free world.
The high-level UN meeting on nuclear disarmament was part of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly. The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is observed annually on September 26. Nigeria's call for the elimination of nuclear weapons is in line with the country's long-standing commitment to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
Key points
- Nigeria's Ambassador to the UN, Amb. Jimoh Ibrahim, called for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons, citing the threat they pose to humanity and collective security.
- The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons aims to mobilize global action and public awareness about the threat of nuclear weapons.
- Nigeria supports the right of countries to develop and use nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes, while advocating for nuclear disarmament.
