The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, has confirmed that it awarded a contract for the university’s perimeter fencing to two different companies.
On Sunday, March 2, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK), was at the centre of a contract scandal involving its Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Ikechebelu Joseph.
Investigations by SaharaReporters had 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.
The university management in a statement titled “Nnamdi Azikiwe University refutes false contract scandal allegations,” signed by Njelita Louis, Acting Head, Information, Public Relations and Protocol, claimed that no legally binding contract existed between the university and Abdullahi Hawawo Construction Co. Ltd. because the company failed to accept the offer within seven days.
According to him, the company was merely issued an offer letter on October 25, 2024, which required it to formally accept and enter into a contract agreement within seven (7) days—a condition the management claimed the firm failed to fulfill. But in contrast, SaharaReporters obtained an Acceptance of Award dated October 25, 2024, showing that the first contractor duly accepted the offer.
“For clarity, an offer letter does not constitute a contract. The letter issued to Abdullahi Hawawo Construction Co. Ltd. explicitly stated that they were required to enter into an agreement with the university. However, they failed to accept the offer within the stipulated timeframe, causing it to lapse,” the university stated.
However, SaharaReporters obtained an Acceptance of Award dated October 25, 2024, showing that the first contractor duly accepted the offer.
The university management maintained that Abdullahi Hawawo Construction Co. Ltd. falsely claimed to have mobilized to the project site, commenced work, and even requested a 30% advance payment. “The university’s records show that the contractor never signed an agreement or mobilized to the site.”
“A letter dated October 28, 2024, requesting a 30% advance payment, was written two days before the contractor even received the offer letter—raising serious questions about the credibility of their claims.
“The university never ignored a valid contract request because no contract ever existed between the parties,” the statement noted.
In defence of awarding the same project to a second contractor, the management said, “Following the contractor’s failure to accept the offer and the near-total demolition of the existing fence by scavengers, UNIZIK reassessed its needs and decided to construct a completely new perimeter fence rather than remodel the old one.”
The university emphasised that a fresh bidding process was conducted in full compliance with procurement laws, and the contract was subsequently awarded to Dukonni Nigeria Ltd.
“To this effect, a fresh bidding process was conducted in full compliance with procurement laws, and the contract was subsequently awarded to Dukonni Nigeria Ltd. The university emphasised that this was an entirely new contract, not a reassignment of a previous one.”
However, the management did not disclose the date the new contract was awarded or when the bidding process took place.