The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), Dr Yau Idris, has chaired the 18th Plenary Session of the Forum of Nuclear Regulatory Bodies in Africa (FNRBA), held in Vienna, Austria.
Dr Idris, who also serves as Chairperson of the FNRBA, presided over the meeting on the sidelines of the 70th Session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference in September 2026.
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Established on March 26, 2009, the FNRBA is a continental platform for strengthening cooperation among nuclear regulatory bodies in Africa. Nigeria, through the NNRA, is a pioneer member of the forum.
The establishment of the forum marked a significant milestone in efforts to enhance, strengthen and harmonise radiation protection, nuclear safety and security regulatory frameworks across African countries.
It also provides a platform for member states to exchange regulatory experiences, share best practices and strengthen their capacity to ensure the safe and secure use of nuclear technology.
The NNRA, established in 2001 under the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act No. 19 of 1995, is Nigeria’s sole nuclear regulatory body.
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It is responsible for regulating nuclear safety, nuclear security and radiological protection to safeguard lives, public health, property and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation.
The authority was established to meet international regulatory requirements, including those championed by the IAEA, which enabled Nigeria to commission and operate its Nigeria Research Reactor-1 (NIRR-1), located at the Centre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State.
The reactor, which uses highly enriched uranium (HEU), was licensed by the NNRA in 2004 and has remained operational without any major incident, according to the information provided, under the regulatory oversight of the NNRA and the IAEA.
Beyond regulating NIRR-1, the NNRA licenses and inspects tens of thousands of activities and facilities involving nuclear and radioactive materials, as well as equipment that generates ionising radiation.
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These facilities and activities span several critical sectors of the Nigerian economy, including oil and gas, healthcare, mining, manufacturing, construction, agriculture, water resources, education, research, customs and security screening.
The NNRA’s participation and leadership in the FNRBA reflect Nigeria’s engagement in regional efforts to strengthen nuclear regulatory cooperation, promote radiation safety and security, and support the peaceful and responsible application of nuclear technology across Africa.