Nigeria was elected on September 17, 2026, during the Seventh Plenary Session of the 70th IAEA General Conference in Vienna, Austria, alongside 10 other new members: Angola, Brazil, Greece, Honduras, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Slovakia and Sweden.
The new composition of the Board for the 2026–2027 period comprises 35 countries: Angola, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, India, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, South Africa, Sweden, Togo, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and United States of America.
However, Nigeria retains its membership of the Board for the 2027–2028 period.
The election comes at a crucial time when nuclear safety, security and safeguards prominently feature in global discussions on the peaceful and developmental applications of nuclear science and technology.
For Nigeria, the potential benefits span critical sectors, with the Federal Government identifying healthcare, energy, agriculture, food security, water-resource management and environmental sustainability as key areas for nuclear technology.
It considers the election a recognition of Nigeria’s commitment to the IAEA’s “Atoms for Peace and Development” mandate, while creating an opportunity for the country to play a greater role in international efforts to strengthen global nuclear governance.
The government expressed confidence that Amb. Ajimobi would provide effective representation and engage constructively on policy directions that advance the IAEA’s mandate while promoting Nigeria’s nuclear priorities and interests.
It also hailed Amb. Ajimobi and the Embassy of Nigeria in Vienna for the milestone.
The IAEA serves as the world’s central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the nuclear field, and was established on July 29, 1957.
The Board of Governors and the Annual General Conference of Member States are responsible for the Agency’s policy-making bodies.
Nigeria became a member of the IAEA in 1964 and currently cooperates with the Agency under the Country Programme Framework for 2024–2029.
The framework focuses on five priority areas: nuclear and radiation safety and security; food and agriculture; health and nutrition; water and environment; and energy planning and development.
Through its new role on the Board, Nigeria will continue to work with the IAEA member states and other partners to promote the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology, strengthen nuclear safety and security, and advance international cooperation on nuclear energy for development and shared prosperity.