About Us

HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

The Department of chemistry, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike started in
1994 as Department of chemical sciences. It was established to teach service courses to all
colleges offering Bachelor of Agriculture (B.Agric) degrees in the University. In 1996, the
Department was accorded a degree-awarding status with a tripodal mandate of teaching, research
and extension in Chemistry and related disciplines. With this development, formal activities
started in the Department under the Headship of Engr. Dr (Mrs). K. B. Oyoh and the Department
graduated the first set of four students in 2000/2001 session. Three among these four made
Second Class Upper Division.
Department of Chemical Sciences was run under the headship of the following staff during the
session(s) indicated against their names.
Engr. Dr.(Mrs.) K. B. Oyoh – 1996 – 2000
Prof. P. Okoh – 2000 – 2001
Dr. O. C. Ohaeri – 2001 – 2002
Dr. S. A. Odoemelam – 2002 – 2003
Dr. S. A. Odoemelam – 2003 – 2004
Dr. J. O. Echeme – 2004 – 2005
Dr. S. A. Odoemelam – 2005 – 2006
As Department of Chemical Sciences, two degree programmes were domiciled in the
Department namely;
Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, (B.Sc) Chemistry and
Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemistry, (B.Sc) Biochemistry
In 2005, the Department of Chemical Sciences was split into two Departments namely;
 Department of Chemistry
 Department of Biochemistry
This development triggered growth in terms of staff strength, developments, student enrolment
and facilities.

The Department of Chemistry was granted full NUC Accreditation in 2005. Hence, Teaching
and Laboratory facilities were expanded to the major areas of Analytical, Environmental,
Organic, Physical and Inorganic Chemistry. However, in 2014 the Department was granted
interim accreditation. The Department as well as the University took up the interim accreditation
status as a challenge and with adequate support from the university; the department met almost
all the necessary requirements and was granted full accreditation in 2017 with a score of 94.3%.
The Department has been run under the headship of the following staff during the sessions(s)
indicated against their names.
Dr. S. A. Odoemelam – 2005 – 2006
Dr. D. E. Okwu — 2006 – 2008
Dr. S. A. Odoemelam – 2008 – 2010
Dr. D. E. Okwu – 2010 – 2011
Dr. Ifeoma I. Ijeh – 2011 – 2013
Dr. I. A. Okoro – 2013 – 2016
Dr. J. C. Nnaji – 2016 – 2017
Dr. M. N. Ogbuagu – 2017 – 2019
Dr. I. E Otuokere – 2019 – Till date

ABOUT US

VISION OF CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT

The Department of Chemistry, MOUAU, considers in itself as a channel through which the
effective world class teaching, mentoring of students and research work in chemistry will be
acquired. It also aims to use the diverse knowledge and applications in chemistry towards the
production of food and security which is in line with the vision of its host institution.
MISSION STATEMENT OF CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT

The mission of the Department of Chemistry, MOUAU is to contribute to the scientific and
technical development of Nigeria by producing professionally self-confident graduates and
scholars equipped with sound theoretical as well as practical knowledge of chemistry. The
curricula have been designed with deliberate emphasis placed on intensive teaching on aspects of
chemistry with direct relevance to industry, agriculture and Environment. The practical
component of the curriculum is acquired through laboratory class practical exercises, planned
visits to industries and field trips via Student Industrial training and Research projects.