Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has cautioned the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission against proceeding with its proposal to construct four nuclear power plants, each designed to generate 1,200 megawatts of electricity.

The minister gave this advice during a meeting with the commission, as revealed in a statement by his media aide, Bolaji Tunji, on Wednesday.

Adelabu made his remarks while receiving the commission’s acting Chairman, Anthony Ekedewa, at his office in Abuja on Tuesday.

During the meeting, Ekedewa provided an overview of the commission’s operations, noting that it was originally established in 1976 under the leadership of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, then a military head of state.

He said, “As a renewable energy source, nuclear energy could power the entire country.”

He emphasized that the commission is proposing the development of nuclear power plants, each capable of producing approximately 1,200 megawatts of electricity.

“We want to work and partner with you in the area of power generation. We can be a base load for the country, and we have two possible sites, Geregu in Kogi State and Idu in Akwa Ibom State. We have carried out the feasibility studies. This collaboration is part of our energy policy, but we are, however, limited by resources to undertake this project,” Ekedewa said.

Reacting, Adelabu reportedly “advised against the proposed establishment of four power plants with a capacity to generate 1,200MW each, by the commission.”

While acknowledging that modular nuclear reactors are acceptable—particularly in light of the government's decentralization of the power sector—Adelabu questioned how fully Nigeria has utilized its conventional energy sources.

“This is an area that states can benefit from. A lot of investment has gone into the development of the commission over the years, and Nigeria should start reaping from the investment,” the minister noted.

The statement revealed that the Federal Ministry of Power has initiated efforts to partner with the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission to enhance electricity generation and improve the stability, efficiency, and reliability of power supply. Minister Adebayo Adelabu noted that this collaboration would support ongoing reforms aimed at stabilizing and strengthening the power sector.

He acknowledged that nuclear power represents an advanced form of energy generation and stated that Nigeria stands to gain significantly from the associated technology, which could simplify the power production process.

Adelabu emphasized that the commission's involvement in the power sector was long overdue and assured his commitment to working closely with the agency.

He further noted that while establishing a nuclear power plant is a complex and expensive undertaking, the long-term benefits to the country make it a worthwhile investment. 

“I wish we were there already in this country, but we are not there yet. We should, however, ask ourselves how much of the conventional sources of energy we have exploited. Nuclear power plants tend to be at the lower end of concern over the years, but we have to understand that nuclear energy is the future of energy generation,” he posited.

He expressed regret that there has been limited collaboration between the Ministry of Power and the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission over the years.

“We have not been having this rapport in the past, but I’m happy we are starting from somewhere now, and I believe that we will sustain it for the overall benefit of our country. This is an advanced level of energy generation, but we must also embrace it because whatever can add value to our power sector, we must embrace it.

“As we all know, leaders would naturally want projects that would materialise in their time in office, but any serious government will know that this is the future of the sector. Nuclear energy is the future of power generation. So, we must partner with you on how to improve the sector, and this meeting is the right step in the right direction. We have formally established a relationship with you, and we have so much to benefit from each other,” the minister added.

He suggested organizing a workshop involving both the Ministry of Power and the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission, along with other key stakeholders in the power sector, to explore ways to strengthen and sustain the collaboration for greater benefit.