The Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) is delighted with the state of the nuclear research reactor at the Ahmadu Bello University Centre for Energy Research and Training.
The Chairman of the commission Muktar Ali, gave the commendation in Zaria during a visit to the nuclear research facility.
He was particularly impressed with the performance of the nuclear research reactor which was test-run during the visit.
“In 2018, the centre successfully replaced its highly enriched uranium (HEU) core nuclear research reactor with low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel.”
The change was in response to the Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI) and Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactors (RERTR) campaign, to minimise and possibly eliminate the use of highly-enriched uranium in civil nuclear applications.
Ali said that the NAEC, which funds and regulates all nuclear research activities in the country, would ensure that the Zaria research centre accomplishes the objectives for which it was established.
He was taken round the facility by the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Kabir Bala and Director of the centre, Prof. Ibrahim Umar.
The Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission is the national focal agency charged with the responsibility for the promotion of the development of atomic energy and for all matters relating to the peaceful use of atomic energy.
NAEC was activated and became fully operational in July, 2006 under the aegis of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, by the appointment of its pioneer Director-General/Chief Executive Officer Dr Erepamo Franklin Osaisai.