NNRA Bolsters Ties with DSS, Police to Crack Down on Nuclear Safety Violations

Abuja – The Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) is intensifying enforcement of nuclear safety and radiation protection rules through deepened collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force.

Dr. Yau Idris, Director-General of the NNRA, disclosed this during an interview with journalists on the sidelines of a staff capacity-building workshop in Abuja on January 24, 2026. The training, organized by Halimasalam Nigeria Ltd. and held at 3JS Hotel, Utako, was themed “Strengthening Regulatory Competence, Inspection Effectiveness, and Service Delivery Reforms.”

Dr. Idris explained that the NNRA oversees the safe use and research of radioactive materials across multiple sectors, including oil and gas, healthcare, education, mining, excavation, and construction.

He identified non-compliance—particularly by government-owned entities—as a recurring challenge, prompting the agency to forge stronger alliances with security agencies and relevant stakeholders.

“The DSS and the police have pledged full support to enable us to discharge our statutory responsibilities effectively,” Dr. Idris stated.

He highlighted that regulating public-sector facilities, especially government hospitals, has proven significantly more difficult than private ones. “Private entities are far easier to regulate—they comply readily because they are commercial operations,” he noted.

The NNRA boss revealed recent high-level engagements, including a meeting with the DSS the previous week, ongoing cooperation with the police bomb squad, and close coordination with the Federal Ministry of Health.

“The Minister of Health has given a clear directive: any hospital that fails to comply with our regulations should be shut down,” he emphasized.

Dr. Idris affirmed that security agencies are now actively ready to assist, with joint enforcement efforts already in motion alongside intensive staff training. “This time, we are not going to take it lightly with anybody,” he warned firmly.

To bolster its capabilities, the NNRA has rolled out comprehensive capacity-building programs for personnel, including collaborations with external experts to sharpen regulatory skills and overall effectiveness.

He urged NNRA staff to exercise transparency, fairness, promptness, and professionalism in all interactions with licensees, stressing that such conduct is essential to safeguarding public health and safety in the handling of nuclear and radiological facilities nationwide.

Mr. Shakir Akorede, CEO of Halimasalam Nigeria Ltd., said the workshop was carefully designed to boost the agency’s productivity and regulatory performance. He underscored the need for regulators to continually evaluate how emerging technologies impact the environment and human health.

“In this part of the world, these concerns are often overlooked, but Nigeria has an agency that prioritizes the human dimension,” Akorede said. “When any operation—exploration or otherwise—could affect people or the environment, compliance with rules and procedures is non-negotiable to prevent harm, environmental damage, or loss of life. Our focus is on ensuring top-tier performance from the regulator and maximum safety for all Nigerians.”

Mr. Tosin Abegunde, Chairman of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) NNRA branch, commended the authority for organizing the workshop and stressed the importance of lifelong learning to stay abreast of rapid technological advances in the nuclear sector. He appealed for increased funding to enable the NNRA to fully achieve its mandate.

Mr. Mukhtar Akoshile, Deputy President of the Nigeria Youth Council, praised the NNRA’s commitment to staff development, noting that such initiatives empower young professionals, promote self-reliance, and contribute to national and global progress.

“As a young person working in this field, you can stand out—perhaps securing scholarships, overseas training, or advancing to executive roles,” he said. “Stay focused, patriotic, and keep the distractions low.”