NNRA AND IAEA HOLDS TRAINING COURSE ON PHYSICAL PROTECTION OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL AND NUCLEAR FACILITIES IN ABUJA, NIGERIA

NNRA AND IAEA HOLDS TRAINING COURSE ON PHYSICAL PROTECTION OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL AND NUCLEAR FACILITIES IN ABUJA, NIGERIA

The Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) held a 5day National Training Course on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities (INFCIRC/225/REVISION 5) from 5th -9th February, 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria.

The aim of the training was to provide Stakeholders with better understanding of the implementation of IAEA Nuclear Security Series (NSS) No 13, ‘’Nuclear Security Recommendations on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities’’

The DG/ CEO of NNRA, Dr. Yau Idris at the Opening Ceremony stated that Nigeria is committed to a number of international instruments and two of the instruments being the Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and the Amendments (CPPNM & ACPPNM) which has been domesticated in Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards Bill (NSSS) currently awaiting Presidential approval.

Speaking through the General Manager, Authorization and Enforcement Department, Mr. Adamu Hussaini, Dr Idris said that in 2021, Nigeria gazetted the Nigerian Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials and Nuclear Facilities Regulations which provides requirements for Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials and Nuclear Facilities  based on recommendations of IAEA Nuclear Security Series No13 (INFCIRC/225/REV5) and in July 2023, Nigeria also hosted the IAEA on the International Physical Protection Advisory Services (IPPAS) Mission to review the current status of National Nuclear Security (NNS), and in particular, to implement Physical Protection and compare the Physical Protection regime in the country with the obligations specified under relevant International Instruments. He further stated that all valuable recommendations and suggestions made by the experts during the mission are currently undergoing implementation.

In his response, the IAEA Lead expert, Mr. Ahmad Abdelsamad Abdelmonem, from the Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, extended IAEA’s gratitude to the Government of Nigeria for their efforts to ensure that the training comes to fruition.  

Forty one (41) participants drawn from various Parastatals and Ministries such as Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC),Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT), Department of State Services(DSS), National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA), Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Army (NA), Nigeria Police Force(NPF), Gamma Irradiation Facility(GIF),Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) and NNRA were at the workshop.