Teaching Comparative

Iran and Nigeria and nuclear technology

If Iran is developing nuclear energy to replace oil when it runs out, should we expect less of another OPEC member? African News Dimension reports on a statement by President Obasanjo that seems to indicate his belief that nuclear technology is an essential for national legitimacy ("a pivotal element in any nation's path towards the attainment of scientific and technological maturity"). I'd like students to recognize and describe how the development of nuclear energy in a country like Nigeria might stimulate other technological, economic, and industrial growth and development. In addition, it seems that there's a comparative task here as well (Nigeria and Iran), but it may involve U.S. policy more than Nigerian and Iranian policies.


Nigeria moves to acquire nuclear technology
 
"Nigeria has taken a major step towards the acquisition of nuclear technology yesterday with the inauguration of the board of Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission.
 
"The commission was established in August 1976 to create an agency, which would provide the requisite institutional framework and technical pathway to explore, exploit and harness atomic energy for peaceful application in all its ramifications for the socio-economic development of the country.

"Describing the acquisition and use of nuclear technology as a pivotal element in any nation's path towards the attainment of scientific and technological maturity, Obasanjo, who chairs the commission, said nuclear energy uses are multifarious and multidisciplinary...

"'This technology will enable us to diversify our electricity generation base beyond oil and gas and hydro, to include nuclear and coal,' the President said.

"The new posture of the Nigerian government, he emphasised, is in line with the new policy initiative of the US government on nuclear energy tagged 'The Global Nuclear Energy Partnership' which seeks to popularize and expand the generation and use of nuclear electricity in the world, and yet make it more nuclear weapons-proliferation-resistant...."

posted by Ken Wedding @ 8:18 AM