Uchechukwu Christian Arinze is a Senior Information and Communication Technology Engineer and Nuclear Security, Nuclear Knowledge Management, Safeguards, Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-proliferation Expert at the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA). He possesses BSc and MSc degrees in Computer Science and is completing his PhD programme in Computer Science at the University of Nigeria.
The NNRA is the statutory body charged with the responsibility for nuclear safety, security, safeguards and radiological protection regulation in Nigeria, ensuring protection of life, health, property and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation while allowing beneficial practices involving exposure to ionising radiation.
“The programme enabled me to understand the different stakeholders in the nuclear industry and how they relate to strengthen nuclear security.”
What was your WINS Academy elective? Why did you choose it?
As a WINS Academy Certified Nuclear Security Professional (CNSP) since 2016, I have completed the Foundation Module and three electives: Nuclear Security Management for Scientists, Technicians and Engineers; Nuclear Security Regulation; and Nuclear Security Governance. I’m currently preparing to sit my fourth elective examination on Cybersecurity in the Nuclear Industry later in August.
I was motivated to enrol in the WINS Academy courses to develop my professional competence in nuclear security, as one of the three S’s [safety, safeguards, and security]. I also wanted to understand why nuclear security was becoming an emerging concern in global international security discourse in the wake of the Global Nuclear Security Summits.
Who do you think would benefit from attending a WINS Academy programme in your region and country?
In my region or country, I think nuclear regulators such as the NNRA, operators/end users and licensees like NAEC and GAEC, diplomats, law enforcement agents, customs and border patrol/immigration officials, the intelligence agencies (Police, DSS, DIA, NSA etc), academics and researchers, policy makers and other government officials etc will benefit substantially from attending a WINS Academy programme.
What advice do you have for current WINS Academy learners or those considering enrolling?
My advice to current WINS Academy learners or those considering enrolling in the programme is to have an open and critical mind to learn. They should remain focused and determined in their certification programme and have an effective study plan to cover the respective modules in a comprehensive manner prior to sitting for their examinations. I have encouraged all staff in my organisational units—cutting across ICT, administration, technical and account and audit departments—to enrol in WINS courses.
“The programme explained how better governance and assurance arrangements by those with accountability for nuclear security could lead to improved confidence in the security arrangements.”
How did your WINS Academy studies help develop your understanding of nuclear security?
My WINS Academy studies substantially helped to develop my understanding of nuclear security. The programme enabled me to understand the different stakeholders in the nuclear industry and how they relate to strengthen nuclear security. The coursework covered the context of the nuclear industry and technology; evolving terrorist threats and their relevance to nuclear security; the human factor and how it affects nuclear security. The programme explained how better governance and assurance arrangements by those with accountability for nuclear security could lead to improved confidence in the security arrangements. It also looked at the interface of nuclear security and safety; how to work and communicate with security professionals to achieve mutual goals; risk management; competency frameworks; Board members’ responsibility for nuclear security; regulatory regimes; the regulatory cycle; styles of regulation; regulatory performance; and factors that contribute to effective regulation respectively.
What role does the global nuclear security community play in improving security culture?
The role the global nuclear security community plays in improving security culture cannot be overemphasized. They facilitate the drafting of international instruments and the formulation of recommendations and guidance documents to strengthen nuclear security culture and the adoption of best practices towards enhancing nuclear security culture.
From the NNRA
“WINS certification helps to broaden and deepen employees’ understanding of the nuclear industry, enhancing their competence and improving the strengthening of nuclear security culture across the organisation.”
How has your organisation benefitted from Uchechukwu achieving Certified Nuclear Security Professional status?
The Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) has benefitted from Uchechukwu achieving CNSP status in diverse ways. He contributed during the formulation and drafting the national policy documents on nuclear knowledge management and current efforts at formulating a national policy framework on chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives (CBRNE) at the Office of National Security Adviser. He has attended numerous courses within and outside the country such as the IAEA, ICTP and VCDNP and presented numerous in-house seminars on diverse aspects of nuclear security.
What role does WINS certification play in your institution’s professional development programme?
Within the NNRA’s professional development programme, WINS certification helps to broaden and deepen employees’ understanding of the nuclear industry, enhancing their competence and improving the strengthening of nuclear security culture across the organisation.
