Radioactive Waste Management in Nigeria – Programmatic Perspectives

Nigeria has been committed to peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology since the 1960s in order to adapt to technological changes using nuclear and other radioactive material for various applications for healthcare, agriculture, disease prevention, food preservation and food security), industry, construction and manufacturing (gauging systems; product quality improvement, etc), petroleum and mining (oil prospecting and exploitation), water resources management, education, research and security inspection (portal monitors, scanners). The country also recognizes that the commitment to safety, security and complete operational transparency is essential to gain domestic support and assure the international community, potential bilateral partners and international nuclear supervisory bodies of the peaceful intentions of any nuclear program undertaken by the country. One way to demonstrate the country's commitment to complete operational transparency is to be demonstrated through safe management of radioactive wastes (RW) and spent nuclear fuel (SNF). In line with the above, the country had taken some definite and decisive steps to put in place policies, strategies and measures, which are critical requirements for nuclear science and technology application. The initial effort to develop a policy for management of radioactive waste in Nigeria began with a Technical Advisory Committee, which was constituted by the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) on 16th July, 2004 for the Development of Radioactive Waste Management Policy and Regulations for Nigeria. The Committee, observed that, whereas the volume and the attendant potential hazards of the radioactive waste are high, their management and disposal processes were not subject to any specific legislative control and recommended that actions be initiated for the adoption and implementation of the draft policy and regulations by government. The Committee therefore produced a draft Nigeria Radioactive Waste Management Regulations. However, a draft Nigeria Radioactive Waste Management Policy and Strategy Framework was produced based on the outcome of the National Stakeholders Workshop on Radioactive Waste Management Policy and Strategy held at Abuja on November 16 – 20, 2009 and IAEA Expert Mission to Nigeria for the National Technical Cooperation Project NIR3004. This Draft document has been reviewed, updated and restructured by experts and stakeholders at various missions and workshops. Legal and institutional framework have also been developed and established to provide effective regulations of the operations of the nuclear industry in Nigeria. (author)