Nigeria is exploring the use of nuclear technology to enhance food security and reduce post-harvest losses, as part of a renewed government effort to strengthen agricultural resilience.
The Acting Chairman of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), Engr Dr Anthony Ekedegwa, has met with the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Food Security, Barrister Yejide Ogundipe, to discuss the reactivation of the country’s Gamma Irradiation Facility (GIF) in Sheda, near Abuja.
The facility, when fully operational, is expected to extend the shelf life of food products and curb wastage — a major contributor to Nigeria’s food supply challenges. Dr Ekedegwa proposed establishing modular or mobile versions of the plant across the country through public-private partnerships, making the technology more accessible to farmers and processors.
Barrister Ogundipe welcomed the proposal, describing it as “timely and in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda for food security.” She requested a detailed proposal outlining the project’s viability and economic benefits to inform potential government intervention.
Experts say the technology could transform Nigeria’s food preservation capacity if safety and accessibility are effectively addressed.
