President Muhammed Buhari, on Wednesday in Abuja welcomed the support of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for Nigeria’s aspiration to generate electricity using nuclear energy.

Speaking in company of the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, and a number of ministers while receiving Mr. Yukiya Amano, the Director-General of the IAEA, the President said he was happy that the organisation was developing a program from which Nigeria will benefit.

In his address, Mr. Amano said he was pleased to see that Nigeria was taking the correct steps, so far, toward a safe usage of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

The Ministers of Power, Solid Minerals, Health, Science and Technology briefed the meeting. They said preparatory steps taken so far included the training of doctors and other medical specialists to prepare for unforeseen circumstances, the establishment of specialist medical centres and the procurement of necessary equipment aimed at protecting the health of the citizens.

Nigeria, the ministers said, is aspiring to start a programme in the coming years that will give this country one thousand megawatts of electricity in the first instance, to be increased to 4,000 megawatts thereafter.

President Buhari charged the IAEA to do more to support Nigeria in view of the long years of its association and support for the nuclear regulatory agency.

•State House Photo shows President Buhari and selected ministers in a group photograph with the visiting IAEA delegation . . . today at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.