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Ekpoma, Edo State – Fresh documentary evidence has intensified scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding the award of a new ICT and data management contract at Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, with stakeholders demanding a comprehensive probe into what they describe as possible institutional corruption in the management of the university's digital infrastructure.
The controversy comes amid a near paralysis of academic and administrative activities following the migration from the university's former ICT platform to a new service provider, a transition that has reportedly rendered the institution's portal largely non-functional and left thousands of students unable to access essential academic services.
At the centre of the controversy is the decision by the Vice-Chancellor to discontinue the university's over 14-year relationship with West Africa E-Academy Project Limited, whose Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) expired on June 2, 2026, and replace it with a fresh agreement involving SchoolTry Limited.
Documents made available to this newspaper, together with information obtained from multiple university sources, have raised questions about the process leading to the execution of the new agreement, including whether the requisite approvals of the Governing Council were obtained before the contract was signed.
Sources familiar with the expired arrangement disclosed that the previous service provider had expected discussions on renewing and modernising the existing agreement, particularly as critical contractual obligations were reportedly outstanding. These included the training of university personnel to operate a home-grown ICT platform and the formal transfer of institutional data accumulated during more than a decade of service.
Instead, the university management opted for an entirely new platform, a decision that has generated widespread criticism within the university community following the disruption of digital services.
Stakeholders allege that the procurement process may have been compromised and are urging investigators to examine the documentary evidence surrounding the contract award, approval process and financial implications of the agreement.
Some members of the university community insist that the financial value of the contract exceeds the Vice-Chancellor's approval threshold and therefore required the prior approval of the Governing Council. They argue that any departure from established procurement and governance procedures, if established, would amount to a serious breach of due process.
The allegations have fuelled calls for the Edo State Government and the Governing Council to constitute an independent investigative panel to examine all documents relating to the transaction and determine whether university regulations and procurement laws were complied with.
Meanwhile, reliable sources disclosed that the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Chief Dan Orbih, has directed the Registrar and Secretary to the Council to communicate with parties connected with the new MoU, requesting that further implementation be suspended pending further directives from the Council.
The development has heightened anxiety among students and staff, many of whom fear that the prolonged disruption of the university's ICT infrastructure could adversely affect academic activities and administrative operations.
As of the time of filing this report, the Vice-Chancellor and SchoolTry Limited had not publicly responded to the allegations and questions raised over the contract. Their responses will be published as soon as they are received.
With documentary evidence now reportedly in circulation and increasing demands for accountability, attention has shifted to the Governing Council and the Edo State Government over the steps they will take to address the allegations and restore confidence in the administration of the university.
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