UNIZIK Caught in Contract Scandal as Acting VC Awards Same Project Twice, Second at Over Double Initial Cost
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK), is currently at the heart of a major contract scandal involving its Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Ikechebelu Joseph. Investigations conducted by investigative journalist have uncovered that the university awarded the same project twice—first to Messrs Abdullahi Hawawo Construction Co. Limited in 2024 for ₦180,031,437.50, and later to Dukonni Nigeria Limited in February 2025 for ₦370,738,367.05, without formally revoking the initial contract. This shocking development has raised serious concerns regarding the university’s procurement processes, the conduct of the Acting Vice Chancellor, and the potential legal implications of the situation.
According to various sources within the university, the Acting Vice Chancellor’s decision to award the same contract to two different companies within a span of less than a year violates fundamental procurement laws and guidelines, leading to accusations of mismanagement and potential corruption. The first contract was awarded to Messrs Abdullahi Hawawo Construction Co. Ltd for the construction of the university’s perimeter fencing, with an initial contract sum of ₦180,031,437.50. The company, having been awarded the contract in 2024, mobilized equipment to the project site, and preparations for the project were well underway.
However, in a shocking move, the contract was re-awarded to Dukonni Nigeria Limited in February 2025 for a whopping ₦370,738,367.05, more than double the original contract amount. What is particularly troubling in this situation is that no formal revocation of the initial contract was issued, and there was no explanation provided as to why the second contractor was awarded the job, especially since the first contractor had already begun preparations for the work.
“Everything is shrouded in secrecy,” a source familiar with the matter revealed. “The new contract and the increased sum were only discovered through internal mail records, which suggests that the process was not as transparent as it should have been.”
The failure to issue a formal letter of revocation to the first contractor has been described by insiders as a clear violation of due process, and many have criticized the Acting Vice Chancellor for awarding the contract to another company while the first contract was still legally binding.
The decision to award the same contract twice, especially at a much higher cost, has raised questions about the Acting Vice Chancellor’s motivations. Several university insiders have suggested that Professor Ikechebelu Joseph, whose tenure is limited to six months, may be making these controversial decisions without concern for their long-term impact. Some even suggest that the Acting VC’s actions could be part of a deliberate strategy to leave the incoming Vice Chancellor with a legacy of legal disputes, potentially undermining their leadership from the outset.
One university official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “This could be a deliberate ploy to leave the next Vice Chancellor entangled in legal disputes. If they fail to manage the situation properly, it could create a major headache for the university in the future.”
Such allegations are not without merit, given the apparent lack of transparency surrounding the re-awarding of the contract. The fact that the second contract was awarded without formal communication to the first contractor, or any explanation as to why the project was reassigned, has led many to believe that the Acting Vice Chancellor may be acting without accountability.
The re-awarding of the contract to Dukonni Nigeria Limited has not gone unnoticed by the original contractor. Messrs Abdullahi Hawawo Construction Co. Ltd, which had already mobilized resources for the project, has formally challenged the university’s actions through their legal representatives. In a letter dated February 19, 2025, signed by C. I. Chukwuma-Ezeudu & Co., the company accused the university of breaching the terms of the original contract and warned of impending legal action unless corrective measures were taken.
The legal letter from the company’s lawyers pointed out that under Nigerian law, a legally awarded contract cannot simply be revoked, reassigned, or reallocated to a third party without due process. Specifically, the law requires that the university must formally notify the original contractor and follow established procedures for contract termination, including providing the contractor with an opportunity to respond and resolve any issues.
In their letter, the legal team representing Abdullahi Hawawo Construction Co. Ltd demanded that the university take immediate action to address the situation. This includes halting any unauthorized work being carried out by Dukonni Nigeria Limited or any other third party and reinstating Abdullahi Hawawo as the rightful contractor for the project. The company also demanded that the university pay the agreed-upon mobilization fund of ₦54,009,431.25, which had been requested as per industry standards but allegedly ignored by the university.
“If corrective measures are not taken immediately, we will be forced to take legal action,” the letter reads. “This may include seeking a court injunction to restrain any further work on the project and a legal declaration to nullify the unlawful reassignment of the contract.”
This scandal has the potential to severely damage the reputation of Nnamdi Azikiwe University. Not only has the university been accused of violating procurement laws, but the lack of transparency surrounding the re-awarding of the contract raises questions about the integrity of its leadership. If the university does not take immediate action to address these concerns and rectify the situation, it risks facing prolonged legal battles and significant financial costs.
The university’s failure to resolve the issue promptly could also undermine the credibility of its procurement processes and cast doubt on its ability to manage public funds effectively. Additionally, the possibility of a legal injunction halting further work on the perimeter fencing project could result in delays, further exacerbating the situation.
University officials have yet to comment publicly on the matter, but sources suggest that the issue is being taken seriously behind the scenes. The Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Ikechebelu Joseph, is under intense scrutiny, and the university may be forced to initiate a thorough investigation into the procurement process and the circumstances surrounding the double awarding of the contract.
As investigations continue into the scandal surrounding the re-awarding of the perimeter fencing contract at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, there is a growing demand for accountability and transparency from the university’s leadership. The actions of the Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Ikechebelu Joseph, have raised serious questions about the integrity of the procurement process at the university and whether due diligence was followed in awarding the contract.
The legal challenges from Messrs Abdullahi Hawawo Construction Co. Ltd highlight the gravity of the situation, and the university must take immediate steps to address the allegations and ensure that proper procedures are followed. Failure to do so could result in significant financial and reputational damage to the university, and may also set a dangerous precedent for future procurement practices.
Ultimately, the university must restore trust with its stakeholders and ensure that its procurement processes are transparent, fair, and in compliance with the law. The public and the academic community will be watching closely to see how the university resolves this issue and whether any action is taken against those responsible for the apparent mismanagement.
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UNIZIK Caught In Contract Scandal As Acting VC Awards Same Project Twice, Second At Over Double Initial Cost
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK), is at the centre of a contract scandal involving its Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Ikechebelu Joseph.Investigations by SaharaReporters have revealed that a contract for the university’s perimeter fencing was awarded twice—first to Messrs Abdullahi Hawawo Construction Co. Limited in 2024 for ₦180,031,437.50, and later to Dukonni Nigeria Limited in February 2025 for ₦370,738,367.05 without officially revoking the initial contract.Irregularities In Contract Awarding ProcessAccording to sources within the university, the Acting Vice Chancellor’s actions directly violate procurement laws, as the second contract was awarded without proper cancellation of the first.Despite Messrs Abdullahi Hawawo Construction Co. Ltd already mobilising equipment to the site, the project was inexplicably reassigned.“Everything is shrouded in secrecy,” a source familiar with the matter revealed. “The new contract and the increased sum were only discovered through internal mail records.”A university insider criticised the Vice Chancellor’s decision as a case of “double contracting,” pointing out that there was no formal letter of revocation issued to the original contractor.“The original contractor was ready to commence work, but the VC proceeded to award the project to another company while the first contract was still in effect. How does the university intend to navigate the inevitable legal battle?” the source questioned.Another university official suggested that the Acting VC, whose tenure is limited to six months, may be making controversial decisions without concern for long-term consequences.“This could be a deliberate ploy to leave the next Vice Chancellor entangled in legal disputes,” the source alleged.Legal Threats From Original ContractorMessrs Abdullahi Hawawo Construction Co. Ltd, through its legal representatives, has formally challenged the university’s decision.In a letter dated February 19, 2025, signed by C. I. Chukwuma-Ezeudu & Co., the company accused the university of violating contractual obligations and warned of impending legal action if corrective measures are not taken.“The law is clear: A legally awarded contract cannot be unilaterally revoked, reallocated, or reassigned to a third party without due process, formal notice, and adherence to termination procedures,” the company’s lawyers wrote.The legal firm demanded the university to pay the agreed Mobilisation Fund as per the original contract terms, immediately halt all unauthorised work by Dukonni Nigeria Limited or any other party, and reinstate Messrs Abdullahi Hawawo Construction Co. Ltd as the rightful contractor.Failure to comply, the company warned, would result in legal action, including a court injunction restraining further work on the project and a legal declaration nullifying the unlawful reassignment of the contract.The company further highlighted that it had already begun mobilising for the project and had formally requested 30% mobilisation funds (₦54,009,431.25) as per standard industry practice. However, the university allegedly ignored the request while secretly reassigning the project.
