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FG Invites IAEA to Assess Nigeria’s Nuclear, Radiation Safety Framework
Federal government, said it has invited the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to conduct an assessment of Nigeria’s nuclear and radiation regulatory framework and also undertake a review of the safety and preparedness of the country as regards such issues and emergencies.
Officials of the IAEA Integrated Regulatory Review Services (IRRS) are currently on a mission to Nigeria to undertake a review of the country’s regulatory framework and infrastructure as regards nuclear energy and radiation.
The IRRS team is led by Mr. Lambert Matteochi and the IRRS Coordinator, Mr. Teodros Haliu. In the course of the assessment, the team would visit three facilities of interest in the country; identify best practices that can be shared with other regulators and provide suggestions and recommendations on Nigeria’s nuclear and radiation safety. The team would conclude their assessment July 12, 2017 and is expected to present an exit report to the Federal Government at the end of the programme.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the IRRS Mission to Nigeria, hosted by the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Agency, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, minister of State for Petroleum Resources disclosed that the IAEA review team’s visit to Nigeria was at the instance of the Federal Government.
Kachikwu, who was represented by his Senior Technical Assistance on Technical Matters, Mr. Adegbite Adeniji, said the IAEA was invited to undertake a peer review evaluation of Nigeria’s regulatory infrastructure and preparedness for nuclear and radiation emergencies.
He explained that as a strong partner of IAEA in implementing its ‘Atoms for Peace and Development’ mandate, Nigeria commitment and efforts towards ensuring greater security of nuclear materials and maintaining a balance between nuclear non-proliferation obligations and balancing nuclear energy and technology for social economic development remains unwavered.
He declared that Nigeria would continue to live up to its responsibility of ensuring nuclear security whilst collaborating with international agencies such as the IAEA for the provision of tactical assistance, expert advice, with active equipments and training.
He said “As an important and respected member of the IAEA, we have signed and implemented a number of binding international treaties, agreements and conventions. It is worthy of note that specific national regulations have been developed to domesticate these conventions and treaties while existing regulations are been reviewed and benchmarked with international standards.”
Also speaking, Mr. Lawrence Dim, director general/chief executive officer, NNRA, said nuclear regulations international and only international best practices are recognized, hence, the invitation to the IAEA for the assessment.
He said the mission to Nigeria provided an opportunity for peer review, adding that at the end of the review, the outcome, containing identification of best practices, suggestions and recommendations would be forwarded to the Federal Government for implementation.
Also speaking, Mr. Tayo Alasoadura, Senate Committee chairman on Petroleum, Upstream, said the review was timely and important to the country, in view of the need to prevent a recurrence of nuclear and radiation disasters that happened in some countries over the years.
On his own his part, Mr. Victor Nwokolo, House Committee chairman on Petroleum, Upstream, said the review was apt in the sense that operators should be aware of the latest and best ways of moving these kinds of materials in or out of the country, to ensure they do not fall into wrong hands.
He said, “In a nutshell, we want these materials to be properly secured, especially with the issue of bomb blast in some parts of the country. The same materials used in our mining sector and quarry are still the same materials used by the terrorists in bombing.
“That is why this review is very timely, to ensure they do not go to wrong hands. As the days pass by, the criminals in our society device more sophisticated methods of getting their evil aspirations carried out.
“That is why I said they should also teach our own people here on how to safeguard these things. Particularly, with our porous borders, how do they ensure that anytime these things are coming in, that they have proper census of the number and quantity of the nuclear material, if not, our lives and that of the country would be in danger.”
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised alarm about a fake and unauthorized website falsely claiming to be an “INEC Ad-hoc Staff Recruitment Portal 2026.”
The Commission raised the alarm in a statement published on its website late Tuesday.
It identified the fake recruitment website as okripeti.org/Inec-ADhoc-Sta…
The Commission affirmed that the website is fake and not affiliated with the it in any way.
“Members of the public are advised that any information, statistics, or application forms on this website are false, misleading, and intended to deceive unsuspecting applicants.”
It also advised anyone who has already registered on the fake portal to discontinue immediately and reapply only through the official INEC links provided above.
“INEC remains committed to transparency, credibility, and the protection of the public from fraudulent activities,” the Commission said.
The Commission also said it conducts Ad-hoc Staff recruitment ONLY through its official platform known as INECPRES.
It listed the only authentic links for the 2026 FCT Area Council Election Ad-hoc Staff recruitment as: •🌐 Web & iOS: pres.inecnigeria.org •📱 Android (Mobile App): presmobile.inecnigeria.org
It added that any other website or link outside the above is not authorized by INEC.
It thereforfore advised prospective applicants to verify all recruitment information using INEC’s official websites, not to click or register on suspicious or unofficial links
not to submit personal details (BVN, passwords, OTPs, or bank details) on non-INEC platforms and to always check that the URL ends with inecnigeria.org
Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), has allayed fears that the new tax reform framework could be weaponised by the Federal Government to target political opponents or individuals based on affiliation.
Dr. Zacch Adedeji
Adedeji, responding to concerns over potential selective enforcement or politically motivated tax scrutiny, insisted the reforms prioritise national interest, transparency, due process, and institutional accountability.
Addressing speculations on suppressing opposition voices ahead of elections, he said: “I think the question you will ask is that we need to commend the courage of Mr. President, that despite the fact that there is an election coming, he is courageous enough to continue on this path of statesmanship and not of politicians.”
The NRS boss explained that it would have been politically expedient to shelve the reforms during an election cycle, but President Bola Tinubu opted to strengthen the country’s fiscal foundation and economic governance.
He outlined that the agenda targets structural tax system weaknesses, enhances fairness, and fosters a simplified, predictable compliance environment to boost voluntary participation over coercion.
Adedeji attributed public scepticism to Nigeria’s history of perceived institutional misuse, but stressed the new framework minimises administrative discretion through rule-based processes, automation, accountability, and governance safeguards insulated from political influence.
According to him, the reforms emphasise taxpayer trust, linking taxes to visible public service improvements while expanding growth opportunities and sustainable public finances.
He reaffirmed the focus on economic stability, credible institutions, phased implementation, investment support, vulnerable group protection, and freedom from partisan interference.
An Ikeja Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Monday sentenced Olawale Faleti, a former Lagos State Education director, to two years and five months’ imprisonment for stealing ₦48.9 million from Access Bank Plc.
Justice Rahman Oshodi convicted Faleti, 64, on five counts of stealing after finding him guilty of charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In his judgment, Oshodi said the offence was deliberate and sustained, noting that Faleti carried out repeated withdrawals despite knowing he had no authorisation to access the funds.
The judge added that the convict failed to show genuine remorse or fully accept responsibility for his actions.
“Financial institutions are the lifeblood of our economy and public confidence in them must be preserved,” Oshodi said, adding that “Those who attempt to defraud or steal from banks must understand that severe consequences will follow.”
While acknowledging Faleti as a first-time offender, the court said a custodial sentence was unavoidable.
The judge applied a 20 per cent reduction from the three-year maximum sentence, citing minimal restitution efforts as a mitigating factor.
Faleti was sentenced to two years and five months’ imprisonment on each of the five counts, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently.
The court directed that the sentence take effect from January 5, 2026, and ordered that Faleti’s biometric details and name be entered into the Lagos State Judiciary offenders’ registry.
After deducting ₦3 million already restituted, the court ordered Faleti to pay an outstanding ₦45.9 million to Access Bank Plc, directing the bank to notify the court upon full recovery of the funds.
Earlier, Mr Ahmed Dambuwa, EFCC counsel, told the court that Faleti dishonestly converted ₦48.9 million belonging to the bank by exploiting unauthorised access to an Access Bank credit card.
He said the card permitted withdrawals of not less than ₦43,000 per transaction, but a system glitch enabled Faleti to withdraw about ₦48 million during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
One of the charges stated that between July 2 and July 10, 2020, Faleti converted ₦12.6 million for personal use, while another alleged that between May 22 and July 1, 2020, he converted ₦6.9 million, all property of Access Bank Plc.
The offences were said to contravene Section 287(1)(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
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