President Bola Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has made a compelling appeal for the complete global elimination of nuclear weapons, stressing the urgent need to protect humanity from the existential threat they pose.
Delivering Nigeria’s message at the United Nations high-level meeting marking the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, Tinubu—represented by Foreign Affairs Minister Amb. Yusuf Tuggar—described the event as a powerful reminder of the global community’s shared responsibility to eradicate nuclear arms.
> “Nigeria will continue to do its part to ensure total elimination of nuclear weapons is achieved,” Tinubu stated.
He emphasized that only full disarmament offers absolute protection against the use or threat of nuclear weapons.
> “The catastrophic humanitarian consequences that could result from either intentional use or unintentional explosion of these dangerous weapons are dire,” he warned.
President Tinubu called on nuclear-armed states to consider the devastating impacts of weapons of mass destruction—not just on human lives but also on ecosystems, economies, and global stability.
> “We need to see action toward the dismantling of these weapons,” he urged.
He underscored that the continued stockpiling of nuclear arms remains a major obstacle to international peace and security.
Expressing concern over the lack of political will by nuclear-armed nations, Tinubu pressed for the full implementation of agreed disarmament measures.
> “We, therefore, urge all the Nuclear Weapons States to implement all agreed measures toward achieving total elimination of nuclear weapons.”
Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to a nuclear-free world and reaffirmed support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), commending nations that have ratified it.
> “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.
He further called on all nuclear states to halt testing, development, and modernization of nuclear arms, including related research.
Africa’s commitment to nuclear disarmament was also highlighted, with Tinubu referencing the Pelindaba Treaty, which declares the continent a nuclear-weapons-free zone.
> “Nigeria underscores the importance of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and, like many other developing countries, has embraced nuclear technology to advance its development goals,” he added.
Tinubu urged all nations to uphold their commitments under existing treaties, particularly the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), emphasizing its three pillars: disarmament, non-proliferation, and peaceful use of nuclear energy.
> “Member States must demonstrate sincerity of purpose and commitment to the goal of the total elimination of nuclear weapons.
While there are no easy solutions, we must remain resolutely focused on getting to a world free of nuclear weapons and be better assured of our survival as human race,” Tinubu concluded.
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