The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has said that Nigeria is set to deploy nuclear technology to combat the scourge of malaria.

Mr AbdulGaniyu Aminu, the Head of Press and Public Relations unit, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja.

Aminu stated that Onu made the disclosure when the Ambassador of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Mr Jon Tong Choi, recently paid him a visit in his office.

He quoted Onu as saying “the collaboration between Nigeria and North Korea in nuclear technology would enable us to sterilise the reproductive ability of anopheles’ mosquitos, the vector carriers of the disease.”

According to the minister, nuclear technology will be deployed to control the birth of anopheles’ mosquitoes, saying that malaria is the number one cause of death among Africans.

He added that “in view of this, Nigeria will take the lead in the eradication of malaria menace in Africa. Malaria has a debilitating effect on the economy by reducing productivity of the workforce.”

The Korean ambassador said North Korea would be partnering with Nigeria in developing science and technology through exchange of researchers from research institutes of both countries.

Choi noted that “science and technology is an important asset of any country. Science and technology is the foundation of any economic development.”