Lagos, Nigeria — Anti-nuclear energy advocates from across Africa, Europe and North America have cautioned Nigeria and other African countries against pursuing nuclear power projects, describing them as expensive, risky and ill-suited to the continent’s energy and climate needs.
The advocates, drawn from Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, Ghana, South Africa, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States, gave the warning on Friday at an expert presentation and workshop in Lagos themed “From Oil Mishaps to Nuclear Misadventure.”
The event was organised by the Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) in collaboration with Tipping Point North South.
Speaking at the workshop, Executive Director of RDI, Philip Jakpor, warned that nuclear energy agreements being promoted by foreign powers and multinational corporations could entrench what he described as “another form of colonialism” in Africa.
He said the workshop aimed to sensitise journalists and stakeholders to the environmental, economic and safety implications of nuclear energy projects.
Jakpor noted that while nuclear power is often presented as a clean energy alternative, serious concerns remain over radioactive waste disposal, nuclear accidents and long-term environmental contamination. He cited disasters such as the Chernobyl disaster and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster as stark reminders of the risks.
He added that Nigeria continues to rely largely on fossil fuels and hydroelectric dams, with an installed generation capacity of about 12,000 megawatts but actual output lingering between 3,500 and 4,000 megawatts for over two decades.
Jakpor also criticised the lack of transparency surrounding Nigeria’s nuclear ambitions, recalling that the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2016 with Rosatom for the construction of four nuclear power plants estimated at 80 billion dollars, with a projected capacity of 4,800 megawatts by 2035.
“We do not know the current status of the plans,” he said, alleging that discussions around the projects had remained largely secretive and excluded civil society groups.
From Kenya, Anthony Kingi of the Centre for Justice Governance and Environmental Action shared how grassroots mobilisation helped halt a proposed nuclear facility in Oyombo village. He said residents organised community forums and information-sharing networks after raising concerns about flooding risks and environmental degradation.
Kingi added that partnerships with civil society groups, including the Centre for Community Advocacy, and sustained media engagement were critical in exposing issues of transparency, alleged intimidation and police brutality linked to the project.
However, he expressed concern that authorities might relocate the project to another area in western Kenya.
Similarly, Zambian environmental activist, Chansa Kaluba, questioned her country’s nuclear ambitions, citing longstanding environmental contamination and public health challenges from mining activities.
Kaluba noted that Zambia, despite adopting a National Nuclear Policy in 2020 and entering cooperation agreements with countries including Russia, the United States and South Korea, still faced unresolved issues such as pollution and lead poisoning in mining communities.
“One of the biggest questions we ask is whether we are ready to maintain the right to a safe, clean and healthy environment while pursuing nuclear power development,” she said.
She added that civil society organisations, church groups and traditional leaders had successfully resisted plans to establish a Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology in a community area.
The advocates maintained that Africa’s energy transition should prioritise renewable sources such as solar and wind, arguing that the continent possesses vast untapped renewable energy potential.
They warned that nuclear projects are highly capital-intensive and could worsen Africa’s already strained climate finance situation, noting that a significant portion of available climate funding comes through debt instruments.
According to the campaigners, investing in nuclear infrastructure could divert resources from renewable energy development, climate adaptation and mitigation efforts, while also creating opportunities for corruption and benefiting foreign financial institutions and multinational corporations.
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They further raised concerns over land displacement and exclusion of host communities from decision-making processes, as well as the geopolitical implications of nuclear technology expansion on the continent.
The advocates concluded that nuclear energy represents an outdated pathway, urging African governments to embrace renewable energy as a more sustainable and inclusive solution to the continent’s energy challenges.
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