A call to common sense and moderation:
There has been a growing trend where many from Nenwe are sharing poorly researched historical accounts and cultural traditions across social media and in published works. This is a matter that calls for reflection, balance, and care.
I have discussed these concerns with others before—and some who raised similar points were wrongly accused of acting out of jealousy ( ndi Avia ha amahụ ala azụhụ) or trying to hold others back. Let me be clear: I do not mind such labels, so long as they do not reflect my true character. My only motive is to serve our people and our heritage with integrity.
Nenwe—its history, stories, traditions, and culture—belongs to no single person, group, or institution. It is the shared heritage of all. But this freedom to engage must never become an excuse to distort, divide, degrade, or destroy what we hold in common.
As things stand, Nenwe Online University is the only formal, organized body dedicated to researching and correcting misrepresentations of our history and culture. This does not mean others cannot contribute; many individuals have invested time, resources, thought, and effort into preserving and sharing our heritage, and their work is worthy of recognition. What is happening now, however, is truly regrettable.
Since Facebook introduced monetization for Nigerian accounts, practically everyone has suddenly become a historian, linguist, sage, cultural authority, entertainer, or expert—often presenting half‑truths, distortions, and entirely invented stories simply to gain views and earn income, with no regard for the damage done to our heritage. This is unpatriotic and wrong.
No one is forbidden from offering their own perspective or interpretation. But if something is meant as entertainment, fiction, or comedy—let it be clearly marked as such. We must not raise a generation taught to believe fantasies are facts. For example we have countless books and accounts of Nigerian and Biafran history; and we read and cherish all that have facts we challenge some with counter stories but we do not need to replace truth with invention and is the case with these new young social media people.
We have seen this before with Nollywood, where Igbo history was often distorted: some presented imaginations as facts, or borrowed practices from other cultures and passed them off as Igbo. For example, ogwu ego involving human elements in money rituals —known historically as a practice from elsewhere like the Western Nigeria in the 60s —has been widely presented as traditional Igbo custom or ways of life , to the point many now believe it has always been part of our way of life and that it truly works. Through such portrayals, Igbo people have been presented to the world as deeply fetishistic, feudal, and defined by kings and queens—elements that existed in some little measure but were far from universal in the Igbo world
We have a landmark work: History of Nenwe by Senator Chief M. B. Chukwubike. It stands as one of the most thorough studies of our history. Where facts may be debated, they should be challenged openly and academically—with evidence and respect. That is how knowledge advances.
I ask simply: why the rush to speak with authority on what you do not know? Why present others’ research and ideas as your own? Some have taken work still in progress from this Institute, used AI tools to turn it into videos, posts, or books, and published it before the original research was complete. Unfinished work often carries markers—trails left by the author to guide further inquiry and verify sources. These are how I identify when work has been taken prematurely. To circulate research before it is finalised risks spreading error and misleading many.
Nenwe Online University firmly condemns this unscholarly approach and the misinformation it creates. We warmly invite anyone who wishes to collaborate, contribute, or join our research efforts to work with us openly and honestly.
Thank you.
Charles O. Chukwubike
Charlie.mbc@gmail.com
For
NENWE ONLINE UNIVERSITY
nenweonlineuni@gmail.com
1st October 2026
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