The Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK), is at the centre of a contract scandal involving its Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Ikechebelu Joseph.

According to investigation by SaharaReporters, 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.

According 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.

Messrs 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

Efforts by SaharaReporters to obtain a comment from the Acting Vice Chancellor were unsuccessful, as he declined calls and ignored text messages. Instead, he forwarded SaharaReporters’ contact information to a journalist in an attempt to negotiate the suppression of the report.

The scandal has prompted strong criticism from the students, staff, and alumni of UNIZIK.

“This is unacceptable,” a student remarked. “A university should be a place of learning and integrity, not a hub of corruption.”

The university has already been facing governance issues, with its Governing Council dissolved and both the Vice Chancellor and Registrar removed over an unrelated appointment scandal. This latest controversy further casts doubt on the institution’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

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