Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has called for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons, emphasizing that global security should not depend on weapons capable of causing catastrophic destruction. This statement was made at a high-level UN meeting on nuclear disarmament in New York, held to mark the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. Ibrahim stressed that the only absolute guarantee against the use or threat of nuclear weapons was their total elimination.
Ibrahim expressed concern over the thousands of nuclear warheads that remain in existence, while nuclear-weapon States continue to modernize their arsenals amid rising geopolitical tensions and pressure on global arms-control arrangements. He noted that Nigeria neither possesses nuclear weapons nor considers them necessary for its national security. The envoy emphasized that lasting global security should instead be anchored on dialogue, international law, multilateral cooperation, and equal security for all countries.
The administration of President Bola Tinubu remains committed to international efforts aimed at achieving a world free of nuclear weapons, Ibrahim said. Nigeria is ready to work with other countries to advance nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. The ambassador urged nuclear-weapon States to honor their disarmament obligations under Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. He also called for the irreversible, transparent, and verifiable elimination of existing nuclear arsenals.
Ibrahim reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, describing it as a cornerstone of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. He encouraged countries that have not joined the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons to consider doing so as part of global efforts to eliminate nuclear arms. Ibrahim pointed to Africa's experience under the Treaty of Pelindaba, which established the continent as a nuclear-weapon-free zone.
Africa has already demonstrated what is possible through the Treaty of Pelindaba, Ibrahim 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. This commitment to nuclear disarmament is in line with Nigeria's stance on the issue, as emphasized by Ibrahim during the UN meeting.
While advocating for the elimination of nuclear weapons, Ibrahim said Nigeria supports the peaceful development and use of nuclear science and technology. He emphasized that peaceful applications should comply with international obligations and contribute to sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, energy, water management, and sustainable development. This approach aligns with the country's efforts to promote practical, inclusive, and verifiable measures towards complete nuclear disarmament.
Ibrahim pledged Nigeria's continued engagement with UN member states to promote a safer, more peaceful, and nuclear-weapons-free world. Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria will continue to work with all Member States towards achieving this goal. The country's commitment to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation remains unwavering, as emphasized by Ibrahim during the high-level UN meeting.
Key points
- Nigeria calls for complete elimination of nuclear weapons, rejecting reliance on deterrence.
- Nigeria commits to working with other countries to advance nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
- Nigeria supports peaceful development and use of nuclear science and technology.
