ANALYSIS OF THE LEGAL FRAMEWORKS FOR COMBATING NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION

Nuclear proliferation continues to pose a significant threat to global peace, security, and stability. Despite the establishment of international, regional, and national legal frameworks, the risk associated with the spread of nuclear weapons and related technologies persists. This study critically examines the legal instruments designed to combat nuclear proliferation, evaluating their effectiveness, enforcement mechanisms, and inherent limitations. It adopts a doctrinal legal research methodology, analyzing primary legal instruments such as the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), United Nations Security Council Resolutions, and Nigeria’s domestic laws, including the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act 1995 and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022. The study also engages with relevant theoretical framework Realism, Idealism, and Constructivism theories to explain state behaviours concerning nuclear weapons development. It identifies gaps in the global non-proliferation regime, including weak enforcement, selective compliance, and the growing involvement of non-state actors. Drawing comparative insights from nuclear-armed states such as the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, the research offers legal and policy recommendations to strengthen Nigeria’s legal framework and regional cooperation mechanisms. Ultimately, the study underscores the urgent need for enhanced legal reforms, capacity building, and the domestication of key international treaties to address contemporary proliferation challenges. It contributes to the broader discourse on international nuclear governance by proposing actionable strategies for achieving a safer, nuclear-weapon-free world