The federal government has directed the National Universities Commission (NUC) to expedite the early completion of the Nuclear Energy Curriculum.
The Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, SAN, who gave the directive, said this would enable some Nigerian universities, the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission, and polytechnics to commence the training of nuclear scientists and technologists locally.
This information was contained in a statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Ben Bem Goong, on Thursday in Abuja.
Mamman, speaking through the Minister of State for Education, Hon Dr Yusuf Tanko Sununu, received in the audience the leadership of the Nigerian Nuclear Energy Commission, who paid him a courtesy call in his office in Abuja.
The Minister also indicated that the Federal Government would prioritise awarding scholarships to students wishing to study nuclear science and related courses within and outside the country.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), Prof. Yusuf Aminu Ahmed, told the Minister that his commission was currently partnering with Korea and China to meet its training needs for nuclear scientists, adding that there was a need for the country to look inward in this regard.
Ahmed emphasised that human capital development is critical for the country in pursuing a Nuclear program to meet her energy and pharmaceutical needs.