Nigeria activates nuclear accelerator

LAGOS, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria inaugurated a nuclear accelerator last weekend at the Obafemi Awolowo University located in its south west Osun State, the Ministry of Science and Technology said in a statement on Tuesday.
The nuclear facility would be used for basic and applied researches in food, agriculture, environmental studies and material science, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the statement as saying.
Grace Ekpiwhre, minister of science and technology, said the facility, commenced after 25 years of preparations, was to help improve the nation's application of nuclear technology, according to the statement.
Ekpiwhre also said that the activation would support the government's resolve to establish a nuclear power plant.
Nigeria and Iran have signed an agreement on nuclear cooperation in Abuja last month. According to the deal, Iran will provide civil nuclear technology to Nigeria.
The Foreign Ministry of Nigeria has acclaimed that the nuclear technology acquired would not be used for military purpose.
Nigeria, the largest oil producing country in Africa, has suffered electricity supply strains over recent years due to poor infrastructure construction and aging facilities.