The University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, has raised concerns over a fraudulent scheme involving individuals impersonating the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
In a statement released on Tuesday by the university’s spokesperson, Mrs. Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, and made available to Nigerian Tribune, the institution alerted the public that scammers have been using various social media platforms—including LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and WhatsApp—to pose as the Vice-Chancellor, offering fake procurement contracts.
According to the statement, the fraudsters falsely claimed that UNILAG had procurement opportunities, particularly involving the supply of laptops and computers. Victims were asked to comply with suspicious demands, including secrecy clauses, upfront payments, and dubious financial arrangements.
“These impostors even proposed an illegal 60/40 profit-sharing scheme and insisted that further communication be directed to private email addresses rather than the university’s official channels,” the statement read.
UNILAG categorically stated that all procurement processes at the university are conducted transparently and in strict accordance with the Public Procurement Act. The institution emphasized that neither the Vice-Chancellor nor any official of UNILAG would ever request payments in advance, suggest kickbacks, or conduct official business through personal email addresses or social media.
“Such communications are fraudulent and should be reported immediately,” the statement added. “The university has escalated the matter to law enforcement and is fully cooperating with investigators to apprehend those responsible.”
UNILAG also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and verify any suspicious communication. Official correspondence from the university, it stressed, always comes through verified institutional email addresses.
For clarification or to report suspicious activity, the public is advised to contact the university via [email protected] or the Vice-Chancellor’s office at [email protected].
“UNILAG is committed to the highest standards of integrity and will not tolerate the misuse of its name or the impersonation of its officials for fraudulent activities,” the statement concluded.
