The University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, has issued a warning about fraudsters impersonating the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, to scam unsuspecting individuals by promising fake procurement contracts.

In a statement released on Tuesday by the university’s spokesperson, Mrs. Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, UNILAG disclosed that the impostors have been reaching out to potential victims through platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and WhatsApp. They falsely claim to be the Vice-Chancellor and attempt to lure people into bogus procurement deals for laptops and other computer equipment.

According to the university, the scammers demand secrecy, upfront payments, and propose shady financial deals, including a 60/40 profit-sharing arrangement. They also instruct victims to continue communication via private email addresses rather than the institution’s official channels.

UNILAG emphasized that it strictly adheres to Nigeria’s public procurement laws, conducting all procurement activities transparently and competitively. It noted that no authorized representative of the university—let alone the Vice-Chancellor—would ever request advance payments, propose kickbacks, or conduct official business via personal emails or social media.

“The university categorically denounces such fraudulent activities and has already reported the matter to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for investigation and prosecution,” the statement read.

UNILAG urged the public to remain vigilant and to verify any suspicious communication by contacting its official channels: the Communications Unit at communicationunit@unilag.edu.ng or the Vice-Chancellor’s office at vcoffice@unilag.edu.ng.

“We are fully committed to upholding transparency and integrity in all operations and will not condone the misuse of the university’s name or the impersonation of its officials for criminal purposes,” the statement concluded.