Nuclear security in an era of terrorism
However, as the Fukushima crisis has demonstrated, nuclear crises do not respect borders. Therefore, nuclear threats must be addressed by all nations. Furthermore, to set the groundwork for the safe, peaceful and stable use of nuclear energy, efforts must be made to enhance nuclear safety and security. Soon after the first nuclear reactor was operated […]
However, as the Fukushima crisis has demonstrated, nuclear crises do not respect borders. Therefore, nuclear threats must be addressed by all nations. Furthermore, to set the groundwork for the safe, peaceful and stable use of nuclear energy, efforts must be made to enhance nuclear safety and security. Soon after the first nuclear reactor was operated by Enrico Fermi and others in 1942 at the University of Chicago, nuclear energy activities were dominated by the quest for military applications. Today, peaceful uses of nuclear energy are the primary goals of responsible nations.
Nigeria first became interested in pursuing nuclear power in 1976 with the establishment of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) as a specialized agency to promote its implementation. NAEC was eventually activated in 2006. Hitherto, pockets of individuals and institutions have been utilizing nuclear technology in their research activities. The commissioning of the first nuclear reactor in Nigeria (i.e. NIRR- 1) in 2004 heralded the presence of highly enriched uranium (HEU) in the country, which (if obtained in sufficient quantities), could be used to fashion a nuclear weapon.
However, steps are being taken to eliminate the use of HEU in NIRR-1 via the conversion to low enriched uranium (LEU), which is incapable of being used to trigger a nuclear explosion.
Nigeria is signatory to all treaties and additional protocols on the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear energy including the Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Most recently, the country played a key role in the ratification of the Pelindaba treaty, which created a Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (NWFZ) in Africa. Prior to 1976, Nigeria was aware of the threats of nuclear radiation and had monitored the French nuclear tests in the Sahara desert in the early 1960’s. In 1964, Nigeria became a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), thus opening up an avenue for obtaining technical assistance in the nuclear field and also signaling the country’s interest in joining the race for the peaceful, safe and secure uses of nuclear energy.
Since the 9/11 attack, nuclear security has emerged at the top of the international security agenda. The emergence of globalized terrorist groups has coincided with enhanced global interest in developing nuclear power capabilities. Thus, potential sources for would-be nuclear terrorists will continue to increase. Nevertheless, the standards for preventing, detecting, and responding to nuclear terrorist activities remain quite poorly defined. Although, nuclear attack has not yet occurred, the threat remains with us in view of the activities of non-state actors seeking to develop, acquire and use nuclear weapons.
For years, successive governments in Nigeria never paid serious attention to the problem of terrorism in general let alone, nuclear terrorism. Nowadays, terrorism has been added to the day-to-day vocabulary of Nigerian citizens since Boko Haram emerged as a primary security challenge. Of the technologies available for terrorism, their attacks have been limited to the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). It is therefore expedient for the government to use all the resources available to it, including global partnership through the NSS to tackle terrorism and nuclear security challenges.
The citizens of Nigeria should understand that a nuclear attack anywhere will ultimately affect the global economy negatively no matter the distance from where the attack occurs.
The first NSS called by US President, Barack Obama, was held in Washington DC in 2010. As a participant, Nigeria supports the Summit process and initiative with regards to the philosophy of voluntarism. In my view, the following policy recommendations should be pursued: expanding the mission of nuclear security beyond four years; eliminating the use of fissile materials, provision of adequate funding for nuclear security; as well as supporting training and education initiatives.
The upcoming NSS 2012 should be used as an opportunity to achieve the policy priorities set out in 2010, and should go further by setting a date for the elimination of civilian HEU globally. Security and vulnerabilities associated with nuclear fuel cycle and HEU stockpiles in civilian facilities are realities of nuclear security.
Furthermore, there is need to integrate nuclear security with nuclear safety in the wake of the Fukushima disaster as a way to encourage the nuclear renaissance Nigeria is a country with an emerging nuclear program and the generation of electricity from nuclear is being accorded the necessary priority. The participation of Goodluck Jonathan at the NSS 2010 in Washington DC brought about the issuance of a policy statement on nuclear security, which needs to be followed up with actions.
Right now, there is need for improved awareness among policy makers and the general public on the global effort to tackle the issue of nuclear terrrorism. A critical next step could be for the government to commit to training and education initiatives to develop the critical mass of human resource requirements necessary for the safe and secure operation of nuclear energy within the country. The IAEA and other NSS paricipants may be willing to assist Nigeria in developing these critical resources. Left to their own devices, nations have trouble tackling global problems. Only by working together can we ensure that all countries do their part to tackle major international issues like nuclear terrorism.
Professor JONAH is of the Centre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria