On May 7, Wang Shoujun, chairman of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), met with Simon Pesco Mallam, president of the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) in Beijing. Following the meeting, a memorandum of understanding on nuclear energy cooperation was inked between Zhongyuan Company (a fully-owned subsidiary of CNNC) and the NAEC.
Wang Shoujun introduced CNNC’s full industrial chain and development of overseas markets and proposed to establish long-term cooperative relations with Nigeria. China already has a nuclear cooperation with Nigeria. A Chinese Neutron Source Reactor was commissioned at Ahmadu Bello University in 2004.
President Mallam stated that Nigeria is interested in collaborating with CNNC* in power generation, nuclear technology application and human resources training in order to enhance the development of Nigeria’s nuclear industry.
One week later, on May 11th Wang Shoujun received the Ugandan Minister of Energy Irene Muloni and signed a memorandum of Understanding in the field of nuclear technology in medicine, agriculture and industry.
Note: Nigeria is playing the same game with Russia. Last October, President Mallam signed a similar MOU with Anton Moskin, vice president for marketing and business development of Rosatom.