By Luchiinter News Desk | October 25, 2025
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, one of Nigeria’s oldest and most respected tertiary institutions, has denied reports circulating on social media alleging that it is secretly developing a nuclear weapon in collaboration with foreign scientists.
The university management described the claim as false, malicious, and deliberately misleading, stressing that its research focus remains peaceful, academic, and innovation-driven.
False Allegations Go Viral
Earlier in the week, several posts appeared across X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp groups, and Facebook pages claiming that ABU had constructed a secret underground laboratory where “nuclear experiments” were taking place under the supervision of unnamed international partners.
The posts included manipulated images of laboratories and alleged “classified” documents that quickly gained traction online, leading to heated discussions and even panic among some students and residents of Zaria.
In response, the university’s Director of Public Affairs released an official statement categorically dismissing the allegations.
“Ahmadu Bello University has never, at any time, conducted or collaborated with any foreign organization on nuclear weapon research or development. All our scientific activities are transparent and academic in nature,” the statement read.
The management condemned the rumor as an attempt to tarnish the image of the university and to discredit Nigeria’s educational integrity. It also confirmed that the university had alerted law enforcement and security agencies to trace the source of the disinformation campaign.
ABU’s True Research Focus
Contrary to the viral reports, Ahmadu Bello University has a long-standing reputation for research in agriculture, renewable energy, engineering, and medical sciences — areas that contribute to national development and human progress.
The university operates several recognized research centers, including:
According to academic experts, the confusion likely arose from the fact that ABU houses a low-power nuclear research reactor, which has existed since the 1990s under the strict supervision of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The facility is used only for educational and medical isotope production — not weapons research.
Nigeria’s Nuclear Policy Is Strictly Peaceful
Nigeria is a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which prohibits the development or possession of nuclear arms. The country’s nuclear program, under the NAEC, is fully committed to peaceful applications in medicine, power generation, and agriculture.
In a statement supporting ABU’s position, the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission reaffirmed that:
“All nuclear activities within Nigeria are under international safeguards. There is no secret weapons program, and the false reports targeting Ahmadu Bello University are baseless.”
The commission further noted that misinformation of this nature could harm Nigeria’s diplomatic credibility and trigger unnecessary global concern.
Experts React to the Fake News Trend
Several analysts have linked the spread of the false ABU story to Nigeria’s broader problem of digital misinformation.
Dr. Amina Musa, a media studies lecturer at Bayero University Kano, told reporters that:
“Misinformation thrives when people don’t verify what they see online. A single edited image can go viral within minutes, especially when it mentions ‘nuclear weapons’ or other sensitive topics.”
She advised Nigerians to verify stories through credible media outlets and official press releases before sharing them.
OkGovernment and Security Agencies Step In
Sources within the Ministry of Science and Technology confirmed that security agencies are now investigating the origin of the viral posts, particularly accounts traced to outside the country.
Officials believe the rumor may have been designed to discredit Nigeria’s scientific progress or test public reaction to sensitive topics like nuclear energy and national security.
Meanwhile, students and alumni of ABU have taken to social media to defend the institution, using the hashtag #StandWithABU, celebrating its legacy of producing world-class scientists and professionals.
Luchiinter Insight: Why This Matters
This story highlights how false information can damage institutional reputation and even national security. In an age where social media amplifies unverified claims, the responsibility of both journalists and users becomes more critical than ever.
For a university like ABU, whose scientific achievements have long supported Nigeria’s development goals, misinformation of this scale can cause funding challenges, public distrust, and diplomatic confusion.
However, the swift response from the university and relevant authorities shows the importance of transparency and communication in combating fake news.
Final Word
Ahmadu Bello University remains a hub of peaceful academic excellence and not a center for nuclear weapon development. The institution has urged the public to disregard all false reports and to rely on official statements from credible channels.
As the investigation into the fake news source continues, Nigerians are reminded that verifying before sharing is the best defense against misinformation.
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