WHY NIGERIA QUALIFIES TO LEAD THE AGENCY ON PROHIBITION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS, OPCW

Dr. Eniola Ajayi.

Why Nigeria qualifies to lead the agency on prohibition of chemical weapons, OPCW.

By Kanmi Olatoye

The world again stands at the threshold of providing leadership for an important global agency like the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. An agency whose activities have stemmed the tide of making our world to be consumed by itself and whose continuous advocacy, preemptive actions and sensitivity to global affairs would always make the difference to a world arrayed against itself.

Nigeria, just like it did with its representatives in the WTO, UN, AFDB and other organizations with global consequence has offered to present a candidate of worth (like the others), whose leadership in those Organisation has proven to be world-class, conscientious and impactful, to lead this organization.

For the records, Nigeria has been and still actively contributes to global disarmament efforts, especially in the areas of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons as well as disarmament.

Nigeria has consistently
demonstrated its commitment to the objectives of the Chemical Weapons Convention, these are in tandem with the mission of OPCW. This made Nigeria to ratify the CWC in 1999 as well as the country’s participation in the organisation’s activities from then.

For example, Nigeria hosted the 3rd annual General Meeting of National authorities in Africa in 2005. This promoted the implementation of the CWC in Africa.

Nigeria has participated in OPCW’s capacity-building programmes, including training sessions for chemical emergency response and laboratory capacity building.

Nigeria has further demonstrated its financial support to the OPCW through donations in funding the Scientific Advisory Board.

Nigeria has consistently raised its voice in support of nuclear disarmament at the ministerial level. An example is the call by the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru on the threat posed by nuclear weapons to international Peace and humanity at the 79th UNGA in September 2024.

Other activities in which Nigeria has shown commitment and support include:
*Support for international treaties
*Collaboration with international organisations like IAEA and United Nations Regional Center for Peace and Disarmament in Africa.
*Removal of highly enriched uranium, for example in a research reactor in Kaduna, northern Nigeria, to reduce the risk
of nuclear terrorism.

There is no doubt that Nigeria’s contributions to global disarmament exemplifies its commitment to promoting world peace, security and reducing the threat of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction with the capability to annihilate human existence at the press of a button!

Above all, Nigeria’s leadership position in Africa, its aforementioned unambiguous, demonstrable disposition to world peace and nuclear disarmament and the quality of its candidate for the position of the OPCW Director General are proofs of further commitment to the ideals of the Organization and the quest to make it more impactful

Dr. Eniola Ajayi is a scientist, a consummate diplomat who has represented Nigeria at the ambassadorial level in different countries, including Hungary, the Netherlands, discharging her duties to the best of global practices and acclaim. In fact she has served as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the same Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in May 2021. She stands as a fit and proper candidate to lead the organization into the next phase of its mission to making our world a real, less risky, accountable and peaceful habitation for humans and other creations. OPCW deserves the best!

This piece is written specifically in support of the candidacy of Dr Eniola AJAYI, former Nigeria’s Ambassador to The Netherlands, as DG, Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

Kanmi Olatoye, is a broadcast journalist, a PR Advisor, policy analyst and published author. He writes on a wide range of subjects of interest.