Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to global nuclear disarmament, urging immediate action to begin negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT).

The call was made by Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, at the first Ministerial Meeting of the “Friends of an FMCT,” convened by Japan on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York. He described the treaty as both a legal necessity and a moral duty.

“Closing the fissile material gap is the most realistic way to stop an uncontrolled arms race,” Badaru said. “The FMCT will rebuild trust, strengthen the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and give momentum back to disarmament.”

According to his PA (Media & Publicity), Mati Ali, the Minister urged the international community to move beyond rhetoric to concrete action, particularly as this year marks the 80th anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. “The memory of Hiroshima and Nagasaki compels us to act with courage. The survival of humanity demands it,” he said.

Nigeria also underscored Africa’s leadership on nuclear restraint through the Treaty of Pelindaba, which established a nuclear-weapon-free zone across the continent. “Africa has shown that restraint is possible. Nigeria now calls for that same spirit to guide global action,” the Minister added.

To accelerate progress, Badaru proposed three immediate measures:

A global moratorium on the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons;

The dismantling or conversion of existing facilities to peaceful uses; and

Employing these interim steps to build political momentum toward a universal, verifiable, and non-discriminatory treaty.

He further linked Nigeria’s position to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing the connection between disarmament, security, and development. “Disarmament is not an abstract debate. Every step we take to reduce nuclear risks frees resources for health, education, and economic growth,” Badaru stated.

Nigeria’s stance marks a shift from participation to leadership in global disarmament efforts, positioning the country as a bridge-builder aligning regional achievements with global policy for a safer, more secure world.