This week, we found claims about electricity subsidy removal, regular sex and child care, and a religiously-motivated claim spreading on social media.
Below are some of the claims DUBAWA fact-checked during the week.
- Nigerian government has stopped electricity subsidy
Peter Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, claimed that the electricity subsidy has also been eliminated.
However, recent data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) shows that the Federal Government continues to spend hundreds of billions of Naira each quarter to cover the gap between the actual cost of power and the tariffs paid by consumers.
More details on what the current administration has spent on electricity subsidy, even up to the 2025 final quarters, can be found here.
- Frequent sex reduces heart disease
A Facebook user claimed that regular sex prevents heart disease.
DUBAWA investigated the claim and found it misleading. Scientific studies, such as the Massachusetts Male Ageing Study, show a correlation: people who are healthy enough to have frequent sex often have better heart health.
However, sex itself is not a “protective shield” or a medical substitute for professional cardiac care. In fact, research indicates that the effects vary by gender and age. For instance, very frequent sexual activity has been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks in older men. Read the full DUBAWA’s fact-check here.
- Video of terrorists maltreating Nigerian Christians
A viral video circulating on Facebook claimed that terrorists in Northern Nigeria are currently separating and flogging Christians.
DUBAWA’s investigation confirmed that the footage is not recent. The video dates back to July 2022, depicting the victims of the notorious Abuja-Kaduna train abduction.
While the video is authentic in its portrayal of the horrific torture faced by captives, there is no evidence, either in the original reports or the footage itself, to suggest that victims were targeted or separated based on their religious beliefs. Read more here.
- Coconut water cures fever in children
DUBAWA found viral social media posts claiming that coconut water is a cure for children’s fever.
Findings revealed that coconut water is an electrolyte-rich drink that can help prevent dehydration, a common risk when a child has a fever.
However, it does not have the medicinal properties to treat the underlying cause of the fever, whether viral, bacterial, or a condition like malaria.
Medical experts emphasise that coconut water should be viewed as a supportive hydration tool, not a treatment.
Read more here.