Nigeria's president has inaugurated the nation's energy board with a promise to commission the country's first nuclear power plant within 10 to 12 years.
President Olusegun Obasanjo said Monday in the capital, Abuja, that the nuclear capacity would be strictly for peaceful purposes to strengthen the nation's electrical system.
He stressed that Nigeria is "unequivocally committed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty."
Mr. Obasanjo made the comments to the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, which he chairs. He said the commission will be working to enhance electricity capabilities for Nigeria's impoverished population.