Nigeria’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to Austria and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Dr Florence Ajimobi, has been appointed the country’s Governor on the IAEA Board of Governors for the 2026–2028 term.

The appointment followed Nigeria’s election to the 35-member Board during the 70th Regular Session of the IAEA General Conference in Vienna, Austria, held from September 14 to 18.

Ajimobi’s media office disclosed the development in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday.

In her new capacity, Ajimobi will represent Nigeria in discussions on the IAEA’s programmes, nuclear safety and security, safeguards, the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology, and international cooperation.

She will also present and advance Nigeria’s positions at meetings of the Board and contribute to deliberations on the agency’s policies and activities.

The appointment gives Nigeria a direct role in one of the IAEA’s principal policy-making bodies and provides an avenue for the country to strengthen cooperation on the peaceful application of nuclear technology.

Areas where nuclear science and technology could support Nigeria’s development include healthcare, agriculture, food security, water-resource management and human-capacity development.

Ajimobi, who also serves as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Austria and Permanent Representative to other international organisations in Vienna, is expected to use the assignment to advance the country’s interests within the agency.

The Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority confirmed that Ajimobi was part of Nigeria’s delegation to the 70th IAEA General Conference in Vienna, alongside senior officials from the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission.

Ajimobi is the widow of Abiola Ajimobi, who served as Oyo State governor from 2011 to 2019 under the All Progressives Congress.