TheCable Fact Check
  • Home
  • Fact Check
  • Fake News
  • Check Am For Wazobia
Reading: FACT CHECK: Did FG shut UNN’s chemical engineering department because of role during civil war?
Share
Latest News
Did Tinubu attend same school as Alexander Zingman? Here is what we know
FACT CHECK: No, Nigeria didn’t deploy peace support mission to Israel
FACT CHECK: Did lawmakers skip the national anthem during Tinubu’s Democracy Day speech?
FACT CHECK: Did a military coup oust Paul Biya as Cameroon’s president?
FACT CHECK: Ndume erred. 22 governors didn’t endorse Jonathan in 2015
Rárá, Pope Leo kò bẹ Tinubu kó tú Nnamdi Kanu sílẹ̀ ní àtìmọ́lé
Ḿbà, Pope Leo áyọghị Tinubu kà ọ́ tọ́pụ̀ Nnamdi Kanu nà ǹgá
No, Pope Leo no beg Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu
Advertisement
Aa
TheCable Fact CheckTheCable Fact Check
Search
  • Home
  • Fact Check
  • Fake News
  • Check Am For Wazobia
Follow US

FACT CHECK: Did FG shut UNN’s chemical engineering department because of role during civil war?

James Ojo
By James Ojo Published August 3, 2021 6 Min Read
Share

A viral article being circulated on social media platforms and news sites claims the federal government shut the chemical engineering department at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) because of its role during the civil war.

The publication, which has been circulating for a long time, can be read here, here and here.

One of the articles, authored by one Kamso Nweke, is titled “Why Nigerian Government Shut Chemical Engineering Department Of UNN.”

The article alleged that the Nigerian government shut the department because it initiated several inventions such as bombs and other arms used by Biafran soldiers during the civil war which happened from 1967 to 1970.

The war was said to have resulted in the deaths of over two million people and left many displaced.

“Have you ever wondered why the University of Nigeria Nsukka doesn’t offer chemical engineering as a course? Here is the reason,” the article partly read.

“This university now known as UNN, had it’s chemical engineering department permanently closed down after the war because of the level of research, developments, and inventions it churned out for the Biafran soldiers.

“If you had wondered why UNN doesn’t offer chemical engineering as a course, know that the federal government of Nigeria closed down the department for fear of the devasting knowledge base of the Igbo man.”

Although the author of the article did not provide any verifiable fact to substantiate his claim, the publication has continued to enjoy huge engagement online as it is often cited by social media users when commenting on the matter.

“I came across this, and it said that’s why Chemical Engineering is not studied in UNN. I’m gutted! Imagine the advancement that could have happened!” a Twitter user, who shared the article, wrote.

I came across this, and it said that's why Chemical engineering is not studied in UNN. I'm gutted! Imagine the advancement that could have happened! pic.twitter.com/3VXkqvWG1z

— Chukwudi Donald (Chubby) (@Chubby40550751) May 14, 2021

Another Twitter, who also shared the article, wrote: “Reason why chemical engineering is not studied in UNN. This people did us bad by not promoting our history in school.”

Reason why Chemical Engineering is not studied in UNN. This people did us bad by not promoting our history in school pic.twitter.com/2cSpfNgwnc

— 2nd-to-None💯 (@_HenAtu) May 14, 2021

BUT HOW TRUE IS THIS CLAIM?

Findings by TheCable showed there is no evidence indicating that the federal government shut the department for allegedly producing bombs and other ammunition for soldiers during the war as claimed by the publication.

The faculty of engineering in UNN currently has six departments namely — agricultural and bioresources engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, electronic engineering, mechanical engineering as well as metallurgical and materials engineering.

Given no varsity can operate effectively during a war, activities were suspended at UNN while the civil war lasted, forcing many departments to close down. For instance mechanical engineering was shut during the period.

When contacted by TheCable, Emeka Simon Obe, the dean, faculty of engineering, dismissed the claim. He described such narrative as a myth that has been misconstrued as fact over the years.

Obe said the faculty indeed had chemical engineering department in the past but it ceased to exist in the 1980s because its “main players” left Nigeria in search of greener pastures.

The development, he said, made it impossible for the institution to sustain the programme at the time. The dean, however, said efforts are currently ongoing to start the programme again.

“It’s not true. We don’t have department of chemical engineering for now but we’re trying to put up one. We used to have before but the chemical engineering department collapsed in the 1980s — not even during the war — because the main players in the faculty then left,” the dean said.

“At the point, the country was very hard so those running it left Nigeria for greener pastures abroad and so it was no longer possible to run the programme.

“People have that myth it was because UNN was used during the Nigerian civil war that they closed the department but it’s not true. There’s no record to show that. Anyone saying that should provide a record to proof such.”

Also speaking, Okwun Omeaku, the varsity’s public relations officer (PRO), described such claim as a “social media report”.

“I don’t know if there’s fact anywhere. I don’t know if federal government shut anywhere or not. I don’t know where you got such information from,” he told TheCable.

“I’m not aware of that. I don’t react to social media reports. I don’t take question and answers about social media publications.”

VERDICT: The claim that the government shut UNN’s chemical engineering department is misleading as there is no evidence to support such. The narrative can best be described as false.

TAGGED: Biafran civil war, Chemical engineering department, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN)

Please send your feedback, claims to fact check and corrections requests to [email protected]

James Ojo August 3, 2021 August 3, 2021
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Leave a comment Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

POPULAR POSTS

Advertisement

Did Tinubu attend same school as Alexander Zingman? Here is what we know

During the launch of the renewed hope mechanisation programme in Abuja on Monday, President Bola…

June 24, 2025

FACT CHECK: No, Nigeria didn’t deploy peace support mission to Israel

A Facebook video purports that Nigeria deployed troops for a joint peace support mission in…

June 24, 2025

FACT CHECK: Did lawmakers skip the national anthem during Tinubu’s Democracy Day speech?

A viral X post claims that Nigeria’s new national anthem was not recited during the…

June 13, 2025

FACT CHECK: Did a military coup oust Paul Biya as Cameroon’s president?

Reports of a military coup in Cameroon ousting President Paul Biya have gone viral on…

June 13, 2025
Advertisement
Advertisement

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Did Tinubu attend same school as Alexander Zingman? Here is what we know

During the launch of the renewed hope mechanisation programme in Abuja on Monday, President Bola Tinubu said Alexander Zingman, a…

Fact CheckTop Stories
June 24, 2025

FACT CHECK: No, Nigeria didn’t deploy peace support mission to Israel

A Facebook video purports that Nigeria deployed troops for a joint peace support mission in Israel. A male broadcaster reporting…

Fact Check
June 24, 2025

FACT CHECK: Did lawmakers skip the national anthem during Tinubu’s Democracy Day speech?

A viral X post claims that Nigeria’s new national anthem was not recited during the Democracy Day event at the…

Fact CheckTop Stories
June 13, 2025

FACT CHECK: Did a military coup oust Paul Biya as Cameroon’s president?

Reports of a military coup in Cameroon ousting President Paul Biya have gone viral on social media. On Tuesday, jimmoexpress37,…

Fact CheckTop Stories
June 13, 2025

CableCheck seeks to provide reliable tools and resources for readers to tackle the menace of fake and misleading materials constantly pushed into the public space from various sources. We monitor the accuracy of claims made in traditional and social media. We also provide a tracker to hold politicians and policymakers accountable for the plans and promises they make to the public. CableCheck is a project of the Cable Newspaper Journalism Foundation (CNJF), supported by the MacArthur Foundation and implemented by TheCable newspaper.

Follow US: 

LINKS

  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Non-Partisanship Policy
  • Funding
  • Correction Policy
© Copyright TheCable. All Rights reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?