FG Eyes Nuclear Energy as Power Ministry, Atomic Commission Begin Collaboration
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, says the federal government plans to deepen collaboration with the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) to boost electricity generation and improve the stability and reliability of power supply in the country,TheCable reports.
Adelabu made the disclosure during a meeting with Anthony Ekedewa, Acting Chairman of the Commission, at his office in Abuja, according to a statement issued on Wednesday.
He stated that nuclear energy, with its advanced technology, offers significant potential to transform Nigeria’s power sector. The partnership, he added, aligns with the ongoing reforms aimed at expanding generation capacity and improving sectoral performance.
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“The involvement of the Atomic Energy Commission in Nigeria’s power sector is long overdue,” Adelabu said. “Nuclear power is a game changer, and we must explore it seriously.”
However, the minister advised against NAEC’s current proposal to develop four large-scale nuclear power plants with a capacity of 1,200 megawatts each. Instead, he advocated for modular nuclear reactors, which he said are more in line with Nigeria’s recently decentralised power framework.
“This approach would benefit individual states and fit better into our current energy structure,” he noted. “Significant investment has gone into developing the Commission over the years, and it’s time Nigeria began to reap the returns.”
While acknowledging that nuclear development is a complex and costly process, Adelabu emphasised its long-term benefits, describing nuclear energy as the “future of power generation.”
“I wish we were already at that level, but we’re not. That said, we need to ask how much we’ve maximised our existing conventional sources,” he said. “Nuclear energy has often been underutilised, but it holds immense promise.”
Adelabu also admitted that past cooperation between the Ministry and the Commission had been limited, but expressed optimism about renewed engagement.
“We haven’t had this kind of rapport before, but I’m glad we’re starting now. We must sustain it for the benefit of the nation,” he said.
He proposed that the Ministry and NAEC co-organise a joint workshop involving other stakeholders in the power sector to discuss strategies for sustained collaboration.
“This isn’t a cheap venture, but we can begin by bringing our experts together to brainstorm and identify areas of mutual benefit,” Adelabu said. “This is the right time, especially with states now embarking on their own power initiatives.”
Ekedewa: Nuclear Power Can Meet National Demand
In response, NAEC’s Acting Chairman, Anthony Ekedewa, affirmed that nuclear energy could serve as a reliable baseload power source for the entire country.
“Nuclear energy is a renewable resource that can power the entire nation,” he said. “We’re eager to work with the Power Ministry to support national electricity generation.”
Ekedewa disclosed that two potential sites—Geregu in Kogi State and Idu in Akwa Ibom—have already undergone feasibility studies.
He stressed that while the Commission is ready to proceed, it faces financial constraints.
“This collaboration is embedded in our national energy policy, but we need more resources to take it forward,” he said.
