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IAEA endorses Nigeria’s use of nuclear energy for power generation

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ABUJA: A Director in the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Ambassador Muhammad Khaliq yesterday applauded the Nigerian government over its decision to harness nuclear technology for electricity generation.

 Amb. Khaliq who made the remarks in Abuja at the national workshop on Design Basis Threat, DBT, in Nigeria, said however that, the decision will present a new set of challenges for Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Agency, NNRA, in terms of manpower development because of the peculiarities of the nuclear power programme.
 Commending the country over its applications of nuclear energy, Amb. Khaliq noted that, “today, all radioactive sources which came into the country since the advent of NNRA are authorised and captured in the NNRA Regulatory Authority Information System, RAIS. “
Adding that “no radioactive source or safeguard material can enter Nigeria without an NNRA License”, the Director said, “I note with satisfaction that this level of success has been largely achieved as a result of cooperation between NNRA and the security agencies, most of which are present here today.
 Participants at the workshop, organised by the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, NNRA, in collaboration with International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, were drawn from the Defence, department of State Service, Nigeria Custom Services, National Intelligence agency, Nigerian Immigration services, Centre for Energy Research and training, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps,  office of the National Security Adviser, Nigeria police force, and Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission among others.
According to khaliq, “I understand that there is even a Nuclear Security Committee, NSC, which advices NNRA in the event of gross violations, and that the committee has helped in the resolution of many such situations in the past.”
He said, “the use of ionizing radiation in Nigeria cuts across many sectors of the economy such as Petroleum industry, Health, agriculture, Research and training. Manufacturing, Water Resources management. Incidentally, the Ministry of Petroleum which is the supervising ministry of the NNRA oversees the sector which is the largest importer of sealed radioactive sources into the country.
“Many of the sources in these applications are high-risk and therefore demand commensurate physical protection”, he said.
He said, the workshop is aimed at enhancing the competence of all relevant stakeholders to carry out national level threat assessment and consequently strengthen the security of nuclear and other radioactive materials and facilities in the country.
In his open remarks, the Acting Director, NNRA, Martin Ogharandukun, noted that since its establishment over the past decade, the Agency has exercised effective regulatory oversight functions on users of nuclear material and radioactive sources in the country.
He said the exercise cut across the Petroleum Industry, Health, Manufacturing, Mining, Education and Research, Agriculture and other sectors of the economy, adding, “we have developed and gazetted a number of general and practice specific regulations covering such areas as safety, security, transport and waste management to ensure the protection of life, health, property and the environment from harmful effects of ionizing radiation while allowing beneficial practices.
He said, “it is pertinent at this point to also note that Nigeria is a Party to most of the International Conventions and Treaties dealing with safety and security of radioactive sources and nuclear materials.
Ogharandukun named the challenges currently confronting the agency to include, the passage of the Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards Bill (NSSS Bill) into law by the Senate, inadequate detection capacity at the ports of entry for radioactive sources, and the disposal of the legacy radioactive sources at Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited,
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BP, Trafigura, Vitol Lead Global Offtake Of Dangote’s Refined Products

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The Lagos based, 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) might be struggling for real acceptance in Nigeria’s domestic market, but the international markets appear to have embraced it with both hands.

As at Wednesday, November 6, 2024, three global oil dealers account for as much as 75 percent of refined products being lifted from the DPRP.

In a development touted as reshaping petroleum trading between Africa and Europe, Vitol Group, Trafigura Group, and BP Plc were listed by Bloomberg as the dominant buyers of fuels from the DPRP.

ALSO READ: Marketers Test Legality Of Banning Importation Of Refined Petroleum Products

Going by the data, it can be seen that the three global dealers accounted for the bulk of the plant’s shipments since flows began ratcheting up around the middle of 2024.

The report was backed by data from Precise Intelligence, a new oil-and-gas trading analytics firm based in Geneva.

The data showed refined products offtake from February 27 to October 10 with other customers, and indicated that the Nigerian market took 25 percent of total fuel purchases from the DPRP in the period under review.

Recall that the DPRP on starting operations, kick-started the production of diesel, aviation fuel, and LPG before subsequently progressing to the production of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) (petrol).

The management of the DPRP has been consistent in expressing confidence that as soon as it becomes fully operational, it would peak at processing up to 650,000 barrels a day of crude into products including gasoline and diesel.

The implication is that at its peak, the DPRP would be the biggest single plant in Europe or Africa, conferring on it the capacity to reshape the regions’ oil and fuel trading.

Oil industry pundits note that the coming on stream of the DPRP has already trimmed a glut of Nigerian crude.

Analysis of the report showed that the refinery has loaded almost 6 million tons of fuel since starting up.

This is equivalent to almost 45 million barrels, loading rates averaged about 35,000 tonnes a day in October, its data showed.

The DPRP itself said late last month that the refinery had reached processing rates of about 420,000 barrels a day of crude.

Stakeholders are paying close attention, which sees the composition of fuel cargoes loading from the DPRP closely watched because it offers clues into where the refinery is at in terms of starting up different processing units.

On the products sold, the figures show that automotive gas oil — commonly known as diesel — is the largest cargo type being lifted, accounting for the highest proportion of shipments. This is followed by fuel oil, which ranks second in terms of volume.

Together, these two products make up more than 60 percent of the total output being collected from the plant.

Other significant fuel types being processed include gasoline, which is used for cars and other light vehicles, and jet fuel, primarily utilised by the aviation industry for aircraft.

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Minister of Power, Adelabu Champions Mini-Grids Amid Northern Power Crisis

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In the wake of a prolonged power crisis impacting Northern Nigeria, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu visited the Zawaciki 1MWp mini-grid project in Kano, underscoring the potential of decentralized renewable energy solutions to alleviate regional power shortages.

The project, operated by Bagaja Renewables, provides daytime electricity to the Gida Dubu community, offering a vital source of power as the region faces widespread blackouts.

READ MORE: BREAKING: NPF Arraigns VDM Over Impersonation

Sadiq Zakari, Managing Director of Bagaja Renewables, welcomed the Minister to the facility and highlighted the critical timing of the visit.

“Bagaja Renewables had the distinct honor of welcoming the Honorable Minister of Power to the Zawaciki 1MWp interconnected mini-grid,” Zakari said.

“This visit comes at a critical time, as Northern Nigeria endures a prolonged blackout, underscoring the urgent need for alternative power solutions.

The Zawaciki mini-grid has been instrumental during this crisis, providing at least 9 hours of daytime electricity to the Gida Dubu community, demonstrating the potential of renewable energy in addressing the region’s energy needs.”

Minister Adelabu praised the Zawaciki project as a model for interconnected mini-grids nationwide, noting its role as a sustainable solution for communities grappling with unreliable power supply.

“The Honorable Minister expressed admiration for the Zawaciki project, recognizing it as a viable proof of concept for interconnected mini-grids across Nigeria,” Zakari stated.

“He emphasized the importance of such initiatives and called on state governors and other key stakeholders to support efforts to decentralize and strengthen the nation’s power infrastructure.

By backing projects like Zawaciki, stakeholders can play an instrumental role in reducing reliance on the national grid and ensuring a more stable power supply for local communities.”

Zakari underscored the transformative potential of private-sector renewable energy projects in Nigeria’s power landscape.

He said, “As we have witnessed here at Zawaciki, private-sector-driven renewable energy solutions can transform Nigeria’s energy landscape. With the right policies and support, we can empower communities and enhance energy resilience, even in times of national power instability.”

In addition to the Zawaciki project, Bagaja Renewables is developing several renewable energy initiatives across Northern Nigeria. Among these are:

Barhim Estate, Katsina: A residential power initiative aimed at expanding energy access for households in the region.

Kura-Karfi Commercial Cluster, Kano: Focused on delivering clean and reliable power to commercial areas, this project aims to support local businesses and stimulate economic growth.

Kafin Hausa, Jigawa: With site fencing completed, Bagaja Renewables is preparing to begin technical design and engineering work for a mini-grid in Kafin Hausa, slated to start construction soon.

Zakari said, “These projects represent Bagaja Renewables’ unwavering commitment to building a resilient, decentralized, and renewable-powered energy future across Northern Nigeria.

“Bagaja Renewables is dedicated to collaborating with the government and stakeholders to scale up renewable energy solutions that will support communities, industries, and essential services.

“We believe that decentralized power generation is the future for Nigeria, and we are eager to contribute to a sustainable, reliable, and inclusive energy system for all.” he added

 

 

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Power Restored In Four Northern States After 10-Day Blackout

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Power has been restored across Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, and Benue States, bringing relief to residents who endured a 10-day blackout.

The Jos Electricity Distribution Company confirmed that electricity was reinstated around 7:20 p.m. on Wednesday, prompting celebrations in Jos, the Plateau State capital, and other affected areas.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Tinubu Appoints Major General Oluyede As Acting Chief of Army Staff

The prolonged outage was caused by the tripping of a major 330kV transmission line between Benue and Enugu states, leaving several northern states without power.

The blackout severely impacted daily life and economic activities, with residents expressing frustration over the disruption to businesses, healthcare services, and personal livelihoods.

In response, President Bola Tinubu took swift action, summoning Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to address the crisis.

Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga disclosed on Monday that President Tinubu directed the Ministry of Power and relevant agencies to expedite restoration efforts.

“President Tinubu is deeply concerned about the reports of vandalism and deliberate destruction of essential power infrastructure,” Onanuga said in a statement.

“The President has tasked TCN engineers with bringing immediate relief to the affected states and implementing a long-term solution to prevent future outages.”

 

 

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