The Nigerian Nuclear Society (NNS), has congratulated the Director, Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Professor S. A. Jonah on his Outstanding Performance Award — Africa Nuclear Energy Excellence Award, by the African Commission of Nuclear Energy (AFCONE) at the 16th Anniversary Celebration of the Pelindaba Treaty held on 30th July, 2025 in Pretoria, South Africa.
In a statement signed by it’s President, Professor Yehuwdah E. Chad-Umoren, the Nigerian Nuclear Society (NNS) said the award “is a well-deserved recognition and we join all across to celebrate you for your contribution to nuclear development…in Nigeria… and across the continent.”
“The objective of the outstanding performance award, as stated by AFCONE, is to celebrate hard work, dedication and positive impact, and ultimately motivating recipients and other Africans to strive for excellence as envisioned by the Pelindaba Treaty. This captures what you have been known for through your years of meritorious service,” the statement reads.
Professor Chad-Umoren further wished Professor Jonah more fruitful and impactful years of excellent contributions.
Professor Jonah is responsible for designing and developing a Neutron Reflection Set Up for the determination of Hydrogen content and C+O/H in different materials, a project that was recognised as the best material in a 2010 Science Innovation Fair, and continues to be a vital tool for teaching neutron Physics.
He is a contributor to the Oxford Handbook on Nuclear Security (2025) where his incisive and detailed perspective on the conversion of a Research Reactor from HEU to LEU in Nigeria was published, an achievement that earned him recognition and commendation of the Department of Energy of the National Nuclear Security Administration, Washington DC, in December, 6th, 2018.
For several years and in different capacities, he played front line roles in the effective utilisation of NIRR-1 at the Centre for Energy Research and Training, where, as the Director, from 2021 to date, his leadership provided a new momentum for the centre’s achievements of its mandate of research and education in nuclear Science and Technology.
Professor Jonah is a serial winner of several outstanding awards such as Outstanding Contributions Award by First Nigerian Universities Research and Development Fair.
A 2021 Senior Member of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management, Professor Jonah was recognised and awarded Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Physics in 2013.
AFCONE is like what the International Atomic Energy Agency is to the United Nations. It is the nuclear energy watchdog of the African Union commission.
It was formed in 2009 when Africa wanted to have a Weapon Free Zone, at a time when it was only South Africa that had nuclear weapons, and that was why AFCONE was taking to Pelindaba in South Africa, and called ‘Pelindaba Treaty’, or African Weapons Free Zone.
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