The University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, has issued a warning to the public about the activities of fraudsters impersonating the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, in an attempt to defraud unsuspecting individuals.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the university disclosed that certain individuals had been contacting members of the public through social media platforms including LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and WhatsApp, falsely claiming to be the Vice-Chancellor. The impostors reportedly lured their victims with fake procurement opportunities for items such as laptops and computers.
According to the university, these fraudsters presented fabricated procurement processes, demanding secrecy and upfront payments while also suggesting illegal financial arrangements. One such scheme involved proposing a 60/40 profit-sharing deal and directing further communications to personal email addresses, bypassing official university communication channels.
UNILAG has firmly distanced itself from these fraudulent activities, stating:
> “At no time would any legitimate representative of UNILAG, let alone the Vice-Chancellor, request upfront payments, propose kickback arrangements, or conduct official business through personal email accounts or social media platforms.”
The university emphasized that all procurement activities are conducted through transparent and competitive processes, in full compliance with Nigerian Procurement Laws. The fraudulent communications have been reported to law enforcement, and the university is working closely with investigators to identify and prosecute the perpetrators.
Members of the public are advised to remain vigilant and verify all communications purportedly from UNILAG through official channels. For confirmation or inquiries, the university directs the public to contact the communications unit via communicationunit@unilag.edu.ng or the Vice-Chancellor’s office at vcoffice@unilag.edu.ng.
UNILAG reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity and transparency, while warning that it will not tolerate any misuse of its name or the impersonation of its officials for fraudulent purposes.
