President Bola Tinubu has called for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons, describing their continued existence as a grave threat to global peace and security.
Delivering Nigeria’s statement at the high-level meeting commemorating the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons at the UN headquarters in New York, Tinubu — represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar — urged nuclear powers to dismantle their arsenals without delay.
“Nigeria will continue to do its part to ensure the total elimination of nuclear weapons is achieved,” Tinubu said. “The catastrophic humanitarian consequences that could result from either intentional use or unintentional explosion of these dangerous weapons are dire.”
He warned that weapons of mass destruction pose significant risks not only to international peace but also to human health, the environment, and vital economic resources.
The Nigerian leader reiterated concern over the “lack of political will” by nuclear-armed states and pressed for urgent implementation of agreed disarmament measures.
Tinubu emphasized that the only absolute guarantee against the use or threat of nuclear weapons is their complete elimination.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), commending states that had ratified it and urging others to do so. “My delegation takes pride in having actively contributed to the negotiation process and in being among the first countries to sign the treaty,” he noted.
Tinubu also highlighted Africa’s leadership through the Pelindaba Treaty, which establishes the continent as a nuclear-weapons-free zone. He urged other regions yet to adopt similar frameworks to emulate Africa’s example.
Underscoring the peaceful applications of nuclear energy, Tinubu said Nigeria and other developing nations have embraced nuclear technology to advance their development goals — but stressed that all states must uphold safety, security, and non-proliferation norms.
“The benefits of nuclear disarmament are enormous and cannot be underestimated,” Tinubu concluded. “While there are no easy solutions, we must remain resolutely focused on achieving a world free of nuclear weapons and safeguarding our survival as the human race.”