Department Of Chemistry

Founded: 1962

Brief History

Department of Chemistry was established in 1962 in the laboratories of Chemistry
section of the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology (NCAST) Zaria
branch. The laboratories were situated on the ground floor of teaching block "B".
As these laboratories would not be spacious enough to accommodate the proposed
intake of students of the degree programme, a new Chemistry Department was
planned and a new building, the present building, was opened in 1965. In 1970, a
big extension was thought of, but the idea was jettisoned due to lack of funds.
However, what is now regarded as the Main Teaching Laboratory (MTL) was
originally Parts I, II, and III laboratories with the Physical Chemistry Laboratory
(PCL) as it is currently. Subsequently, an extension was made for the polymer
classes and this is now part of the postgraduate laboratory. The "Biochemistry",
"Industrial Chemistry" and Textile Science and Technology section of the
Department of Chemistry with time became full-fledged Departments in their own
rights culminating in what we now know as Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering
and Textile Science and Technology Departments respectively.
The Department of Chemistry started in earnest with some former members of
NCAST academic staff namely Dr. Anderson, Dr. Sankahala who was the pioneer
Head of Department, Mr. E. O. Kalu and Mallam Sani Jandutse who became glass
blower. The Department started with a total staff strength of twenty-six. Since then,
the number of staff has continued to increase significantly. At the moment the
department has a crop of staff trained in various areas of chemistry and this has
been a big asset to the university over the years. The technical section is equally
endowed with dedicated and committed staff who are ever ready to make sacrifices.
The administrative section of the Department has also shown a lot of hard work in
the daily running of the department.
The academic activities of the Department are organized into undergraduate and
postgraduate programmes and both have been actively developed over the years
In the area of research, it can be stated boldly without fear of contradiction that the
Department of Chemistry has done excellently and this feat has been maintained
over the years.

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Mission

The mission of Chemistry Department is to produce graduate Chemists to take up and fill positions and offer specialized services in the
Nigerian economy.

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