The Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) has strengthened its collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force to ensure strict enforcement of nuclear safety and radiation protection regulations across the country.
The Director-General of the NNRA, Dr. Yau Idris, disclosed this in an interview with journalists on the sidelines of a workshop organised for staff of the authority by Halimasalam Nigeria Ltd. in Abuja.
The workshop, titled “Strengthening Regulatory Competence, Inspector Effectiveness and Service Delivery Reforms,” was aimed at enhancing staff capacity and operational efficiency.
Dr. Idris explained that the NNRA’s regulatory mandate cuts across several sectors, including oil and gas, health, education, excavation and construction, where radioactive materials are utilised or researched.
According to him, non-compliance—particularly by government-owned institutions—has remained a major challenge, prompting the authority to deepen collaboration with security agencies and other key stakeholders.
The NNRA boss said both the DSS and the Nigeria Police Force had pledged their support to ensure the authority effectively carries out its statutory responsibilities.
He noted that regulating public health institutions had proven more difficult than overseeing private facilities, which he said were generally more willing to comply with regulatory standards.
“Our major challenge is regulating government facilities, particularly hospitals. We find it very difficult to regulate the health sector.
“For the private sector, it is much easier because they are commercial entities and are more willing to comply with our regulations,” he said.
Dr. Idris disclosed that the NNRA recently held a meeting with the DSS and was also working closely with the police bomb squad and the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure strict enforcement.
“In fact, the Minister of Health has given us a mandate that any hospital that is not complying with our regulations should be shut down,” he said.
He added that the DSS and the police were fully prepared to assist the authority in the discharge of its duties, stressing that the NNRA had commenced intensive capacity-building programmes for its staff, including engaging external experts to strengthen regulatory competence.
“This time around, we are not going to take it lightly with anybody,” the NNRA helmsman warned.
Dr. Idris, however, urged staff of the authority to uphold transparency and fairness in their dealings with licensees, stressing the need for prompt and professional conduct to safeguard public safety in the use of nuclear and radiological facilities nationwide.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Halimasalam Nigeria Ltd., Mr. Shakir Akorede, said the training was designed to improve the productivity and effectiveness of the agency.
He emphasised the need for continuous scrutiny of modern technologies and their impact on the environment and public health.
“It is very critical to have regulatory agencies that protect the health of Nigerians. For instance, when exploration or other industrial activities are carried out, it is important to understand how they affect humans and the environment.
“In most cases, these issues are not given sufficient attention in this part of the world, but in Nigeria, we have an agency that focuses on the human and environmental impact,” he said.
Akorede stressed that ensuring compliance with established rules and procedures was key to preventing environmental hazards that could negatively affect human lives.
“Our interest is to ensure the best performance on the part of the regulator and, ultimately, the safety of Nigerians,” he added.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Petroleum Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PSSAN), NNRA Branch, Mr. Tosin Abegunde, commended the authority for organising the workshop for its staff.
He said continuous learning was essential for staff to keep pace with new technologies and rapid developments in the nuclear industry, while calling for improved funding for the agency to effectively achieve its mandate.
Also speaking, the Deputy President of the Nigerian Youth Council of Nigeria, Mr. Mukhtar Akoshile, praised the NNRA for its commitment to staff capacity building.
He said such initiatives promote self-sufficiency and enhance the usefulness of young professionals to themselves, the country, and the global community.
“As a young person working in an organisation, you can distinguish yourself through dedication and patriotism.
Opportunities such as scholarships, overseas training, and career advancement can come with focus and discipline,” he said, urging young people to remain committed and avoid distractions.
