NASENI Clarifies N10.6 Billion Advance to Contractor for Campus Project

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has pushed back against allegations of financial misconduct regarding a N10.6 billion mobilisation payment. This payment was made to CGC Nigeria Limited for the ongoing construction of the NASENI Campus project.

According to the agency, this sum constitutes 30 percent of the total contract value and was disbursed strictly in adherence to the Public Procurement Act, which was amended by the Finance Act 2020. This amendment notably increased the maximum allowable mobilisation fee for public contracts from 15 percent to 30 percent.

Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, NASENI’s Director of Information, released a statement on Tuesday, noting that one report suggested the payment was made to “mop up funds,” while another cited an outdated “mobilisation mark.”

“Following publications by two online media, Sahara Reporters and Secret Reporters, both of them carrying insinuations of financial impropriety by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) in its handling of the ongoing construction of the NASENI Campus project, the agency hereby states that the publications are false, malicious and intended to deceive the public,” the statement read.

NASENI specifically addressed Secret Reporters' claim that the N10.648 billion, representing 30% of the contract sum, was hastily paid to CGC Nigeria Limited in December 2025 to “mop up funds,” dismissing this as untrue. The agency also pointed out that Sahara Reporters based its allegations on the old 15% mobilisation limit, demonstrating a lack of awareness of the Public Procurement Act's amendment through the Finance Act 2020, which raised the threshold to 30%.

“We want the public to know that the two online media did not wait for clarifications from the management of NASENI to achieve a balanced report in this matter before they went out with their falsehoods. Hence, we found it expedient to make the following clarifications to the absurdities being promoted as “truths” by the two online media,” NASENI stated.

The agency further clarified that in 2025, it sought consultancy from reputable and qualified firms for the NASENI Campus construction. This flagship Science, Technology, and Innovation Complex is planned for the Abuja Technology Village in Lugbe, Abuja. CGC Nigeria Limited secured the contract after meeting all technical and financial criteria, and was issued a Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) Certificate of No Objection.

Before any payment, CGC Nigeria Limited provided a bank guarantee from a reputable Nigerian commercial bank, aligning with approved procedures. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the contract award to CGC Nigeria Limited in November 2025. Subsequently, the company received 30% of the total contract sum as mobilisation, which was in line with BPP financial regulations and procedures, enabling them to commence work at the project site.

NASENI reiterated that the 30% cap on mobilisation fees for government contracts was established by the Finance Act 2020, which amended the Public Procurement Act 2007. This amendment, specifically Part XIV- Public Procurement Act, in section 35 “a”, subsection “1”, states: “(1)“In addition to any other regulation as may be prescribed by the Bureau, a mobilisation fee of not more than 30% for contractors may be paid to a supplier or contractor supported by an unconditional bank guarantee or insurance bond issued by an institution acceptable to the procuring entity until the mobilisation fee is fully amortised or recovered.”

NASENI urged media outlets to seek clarification before disseminating unsubstantiated and malicious reports about government entities, affirming its adherence to all due processes in public contract awards as outlined in the Finance Act, 2020.