Nigeria has reaffirmed its unwavering support for a concerted effort to verifiably rid the world of all nuclear weapons.

The Charge d’Affaires of the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the UN, Syndoph Endoni, stated this while delivering Nigeria’s statement at the UN headquarters in New York.

Mr Endoni, who spoke on the occasion of the observance of the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, said Nigeria was unwavering in its support for a nuclear-free world.

He commended the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) for its steadfast efforts in pursuit of a nuclear‑test‑free world.

Mr Endoni said, “Nigeria reaffirms its unwavering support for this agenda and stands in solidarity with the global pursuit of complete and irreversible nuclear disarmament.

“Nigeria has long championed the goal of a nuclear-weapons-free world and remains committed to the early entry into force of the CTBTO.”

Mr Endoni commended the CTBTO for the significant progress in developing its monitoring and inspection regime and pledged Nigeria’s continued support for its full implementation.

He decried the humanitarian and environmental consequences of nuclear weapons and stressed the need to redouble disarmament efforts.

“The ultimate goal for the call to ban nuclear tests is to ensure the protection of people’s lives and the environment, and the need to abolish this dangerous weapon from our society must be prioritised,” Mr Endoni stated.

Nigeria reiterated its pride in championing the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and urged states, especially nuclear-armed ones, to consider accession, fostering consistency between the anti‑testing and anti‑possession regimes.

“The African example of the Pelindaba Treaty establishing a nuclear‑weapon‑free zone across the continent remains a model for other regions to emulate.

“Nigeria reaffirms its strong support for the CTBT as both a safeguard against nuclear tests and a framework that upholds the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

“Nigeria calls on all states yet to accede to do so without delay, as its full implementation is vital to global peace and security,” Mr Endoni stated.

Mr Endoni called upon the CTBTO Preparatory Commission, member states, and civil society partners to intensify efforts ahead of the Article XIV Conference.

“Let us draw inspiration from the TPNW’s momentum, uphold the non‑proliferation treaty’s three pillars: disarmament, non‑proliferation, and peaceful uses, and renew our commitment to the total elimination of nuclear weapons,” Mr Endoni.

Nigeria signed and ratified the TPNW on September 20, 2017, and completed its ratification by depositing the instrument of ratification with the UN Secretary-General on August 6, 2020.

(NAN)