Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority

NNRA Hosts IAEA Expert Mission on Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources

The NNRA, in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has commenced a five-day Expert Mission in Abuja on the development of Safety Assessments, Safety Cases, and Security Plans for the storage of Sealed Radioactive Sources (SRS) and Disused Sealed Radioactive Sources (DSRS). The mission aims to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for the safe, secure, and sustainable management of radioactive sources through enhanced technical expertise and regulatory effectiveness.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, NNRA Director General, Yau Usman Idris, thanked the IAEA for its continued support in advancing Nigeria’s nuclear and radiation safety infrastructure. He emphasized the importance of robust safety and security measures in protecting workers, the public, and the environment, particularly as Nigeria prepares for key licensing activities related to radioactive waste management facilities.

Dr. Idris urged participants to fully engage with the IAEA experts and leverage the knowledge-sharing opportunities provided by the mission. He noted that the initiative will further strengthen Nigeria’s regulatory framework and reinforce the country’s commitment to international best practices in nuclear and radiological safety and security.

Barka da Sallah to all Muslim faithfuls

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NNRA Hosts Afri-German Oncology Centre Delegation to Advance Cancer Care in Nigeria

The NNRA earlier today received a delegation from the Afri-German Oncology and Wellness Centre (AGOWC) at its headquarters office in Abuja.

The delegation, led by radiation medicine experts Dr. Alok Kumar and Dr. Arindam Mukherjee of NCRI Hospital, Kolkata, India, visited to provide technical guidance on AGOWC’s ultra-modern oncology centre. The meeting also reviewed project progress and strengthened collaboration on advancing cancer treatment infrastructure in Nigeria.

The experts expressed confidence that the centre, once completed, could become one of Africa’s leading oncology facilities. It is designed to offer advanced treatment modalities including Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) and Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT).

The visit underscores NNRA’s role in supporting safe and compliant development of medical radiation facilities in line with international best practices.

NNRA DG PARTICIPATES IN THE 11TH REVIEW CONFERENCE OF THE TREATY ON THE NON-PROLIFERATION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS (NPT) IN NEW YORK

The Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), Dr. Yau Idris, is leading the NNRA delegation to the 11th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), taking place at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, United States of America.

The Review Conference, convened under the auspices of the United Nations, brings together member states, international organizations, and key stakeholders to review the implementation of the Treaty and discuss global efforts towards nuclear non-proliferation, nuclear disarmament, and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

As a key national authority responsible for nuclear regulation in Nigeria, the NNRA ensures the application of nuclear science and technology in Nigeria is consistent with our obligations under the Treaty and other international nuclear instruments.

The Nigerian delegation is led by Nigeria’s Embassy/PermanentRepresentative to theUnitedNations, the PermanentSecretary, Ministry of Defence, DG of the NNRA and management team as well as other relevant government stakeholders, is participating in strategic discussions aimed at strengthening international cooperation, enhancing nuclear safety and security frameworks, promoting peaceful applications of nuclear technology, and reinforcing global non-proliferation commitments.

Nigeria continues to reaffirm its commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear technology for socioeconomic development while upholding the highest standards of nuclear safety, security, safeguards, and non-proliferation in line with international best practices.

Under the leadership of Dr. Yau Idris, the NNRA has continued to strengthen Nigeria’s nuclear regulatory infrastructure through international collaborations, capacity building initiatives, development of regulatory frameworks, and alignment with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safety standards.

The participation of Nigeria at the 11th NPT Review Conference further demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to global peace, nuclear security, and responsible utilization of nuclear science and technology for sustainable national development.

NNRA CONDUCTS EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE (EPR) EXERCISE AT THE CENTRE FOR ENERGY RESEARCH AND TRAINING (CERT), NIGERIA RESEARCH REACTOR-1 (NiRR-1) FACILITY, ABU ZARIA, KADUNA STATE

A team of Senior Inspectors from the NNRA Headquarters conducts a compliance inspection on EPR exercise conducted by the CERT, NiRR-1 facility on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, from 10:35 a.m. to 11:35 a.m.

The inspections aimed at witnessing, evaluating CERT’s EPR arrangements and performance, and also identifying both its strengths & weaknesses and lesson learned for improvement. The exercise was organized and conducted in fulfilment of the provisions of Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act 19 of 1995, Nigerian Safety of Research Reactors Regulations 2021, CERT operating Licence Condition and part of CERT’s commitment to maintaining a strong safety and security culture, enhancing emergency preparedness, and ensuring compliance with national regulatory requirements and international nuclear safety standards.

The exercise simulated a radiological emergency involving the accidental spillage of a radioactive Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) sample along the laboratory linkway, resulting in a potential radiation exposure scenario. The drill tested the effectiveness of emergency response procedures, personnel vigilance, inter-agency coordination, evacuation protocols, contamination control, communication systems, and response timelines.

The exercise involved both internal and external emergency response teams, including personnel from CERT’s Health Physics and Radiation Biophysics Sections, the University Health Services (UHS), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Sabon Gari Command, Zaria.

The exercise further demonstrated the importance of regular emergency drills in strengthening institutional readiness, improving coordination among emergency responders, and promoting continuous improvement in nuclear and radiological emergency preparedness and response.

The successful conduct of the exercise reflects CERT’s dedication to operational safety, radiation protection, environmental safety, and public confidence in the safe utilization of nuclear and radioactive materials in Nigeria.

NNRA, Enugu State Ministry of Health Hold Stakeholders’ Meeting on Radiation Protection

The NNRA South East Zonal Office, in collaboration with the Enugu State Ministry of Health, held a stakeholders’ meeting on “Collaborative Actions in Medical Radiation Protection.”

The meeting focused on strengthening radiation safety in medicine, with presentations by the Head of Technical, Sister Chioma Nwankwo, on the importance of effective radiation protection programmes in healthcare facilities.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, commended NNRA’s efforts in improving standards among radiation practitioners and reaffirmed the Enugu State Government’s commitment to continued collaboration in promoting radiation safety and public health protection.

NNRA Holds National Training Course on Regulatory Inspection, Authorization and Enforcement

The NNRA has commenced a five-day National Training Course on Regulatory Inspection, Authorization and Enforcement in Abuja from May 11–15, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen institutional capacity and enhance nuclear and radiological safety regulation in Nigeria.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NNRA, Dr. Yau Idris reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to continuous staff development, noting that human capacity building remains essential to effective regulatory oversight and the protection of life, health, property, and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.

The training is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and technical expertise required for effective inspection, authorization, and enforcement activities, while also promoting professionalism, teamwork, and adherence to international best practices. It covers key areas such as inspection procedures, authorization processes, enforcement mechanisms, radiation safety, and emergency preparedness.

NNRA CONDUCTS INSPECTIONS OF RADIOACTIVE SOURCE ABANDONMENT OPERATIONS AT ONSHORE AND OFFSHORE EXPLORATION RIGS.

Two teams of Senior Inspectors from the Headquarters and Bayelsa Operational Office of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority conducted inspection exercises from 4th–9th April and 9th–16th April 2026 at two licensed operators’ onshore and offshore exploration facilities, respectively.

The inspections were carried out at a land-based operational rig facility at Imo State and a deep offshore exploration well site within the Gulf of Guinea, offshore Nigeria. The inspections were aimed at witnessing and verifying the safe plug and abandonment operations involving radioactive sources that became stuck downhole during drilling activities.

The inspections focused on ensuring that the abandonment procedures were conducted in compliance with the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act No. 19 of 1995, the Nigerian Basic Ionizing Radiation Regulations (2023), the Nigerian NORM Regulations (2008), the Nigerian Radiation Safety in Nuclear Well Logging Regulations (2008), the Nigerian Radioactive Waste and Spent Nuclear Fuel Management Regulations (2023), as well as Section 10(c) of the Petroleum Industry Act.

The successful abandonment operations involved collaboration among the well operators, drilling rig contractors, and service companies responsible for the radioactive sources and associated radiation-generating equipment.
The operations included the implementation of engineered cement barriers and other long-term safety measures designed to ensure the permanent isolation and containment of the radioactive sources within the wellbores, in accordance with established safety and environmental protection requirements.

The Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority remains committed to regulating the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear and radiological materials and technologies in the country, while ensuring the protection of people, property, and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.

NNRA PAYS COURTESY VISIT TO OGUN STATE COMMISSIONER FOR HEALTH

The Ogun State Operational Office of the NNRA paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, on 6th May 2026 to strengthen collaboration on radiation safety and regulatory compliance in the State.

Discussions focused on the authorization status of State-owned radio-diagnostic facilities, equipment calibration and quality control, dosimetry monitoring, patient protection, and other key safety requirements aimed at ensuring compliance with NNRA regulations.

The Honourable Commissioner for Health reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to meeting regulatory requirements and enhancing safe radiological practices across Ogun State health facilities.

NNRA COLLABORATES WITH CSO ON SENSITIZATION WORKSHOP

The NNRA, in collaboration with a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), Advocate for Development Initiative , hosted a sensitization workshop in Abuja titled, *X-raying the Challenges, Achievements and Prospects of the NNRA in Solving Nigeria’s Energy Problems.” The workshop focused on raising awareness of regulatory issues within Nigeria’s energy sector.

Representing the DG/CEO of NNRA, Dr. Yau Idris, Barr. John Adamu, Deputy General Manager, Legal and International Cooperation, commended the CSO for fostering collaboration in public sensitization. He reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to ensuring Nigeria’s compliance with international safeguards regulations as the country advances plans for nuclear energy development.

Executive Director of Integrity Advocate for Development Initiative, Comrade Christopher Ofomhi, described the workshop as timely and significant to energy diversification efforts. He highlighted the NNRA’s critical role in regulating radioactive materials and safeguarding lives, property, and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation.