The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has strongly denied allegations published by SaharaReporters accusing its Executive Director/CEO, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, of violating civil service procedures ahead of the Council’s scheduled promotion examinations. In a statement issued by Lawal Shehu Dalhat, Director of Policy and Strategy, the Council described the report as “egregious misinformation” and “a fundamental misunderstanding of how promotion exercises are conducted in the civil service.”

According to the NEPC, the upcoming promotion examinations, set to hold from July 9 to 11, 2025, have not yet taken place, making the allegations both speculative and unjust. The Council questioned the logic of accusing Mrs. Ayeni of an offence tied to a process that has yet to occur. The NEPC highlighted that in April 2024, a total of 74 staff members sat for promotion exams under transparent conditions, with 49 successfully promoted. That process, the Council stated, was free of controversy and served as a testament to Mrs. Ayeni’s commitment to due process and her background in human resources.

Clarifying the promotion procedure, the Council stated that no single individual, ED/CEO included, can influence the outcome. Promotion exams, it noted, begin with the Council requesting approval from the Head of Service (HoS), accompanied by evidence that candidates have met the required years in grade. Only after this approval can a Senior Staff Committee be convened to finalize logistics. The Senior Staff Committee, which includes NEPC directors and representatives from the HoS, the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, and the Federal Civil Service Commission, met on June 24, 2025. Following this, a circular was issued on June 26, announcing 102 eligible candidates for the promotion exercise. To date, the Council says, no complaints have been received.

The statement also addressed claims relating to HND holders and promotion limitations.
 It referenced a federal circular dated November 7, 2022, which stipulates that HND holders, regardless of additional professional qualifications, cannot advance beyond Salary Grade Level 14 without further academic credentials. The Council affirmed that the forthcoming exams are fully compliant with this directive.

The report had named two individuals, Mr. Abayomi Akodu and Mr. Joshua Mani, as supposed beneficiaries of favoritism. The NEPC dismissed the claims as baseless, noting that both officers have neither sat for the exams nor been promoted. It emphasized that no preferential treatment has been given. The Council also refuted claims involving a retired staff member, Mr. Salami, clarifying that he left the service within a year of Mrs. Ayeni’s appointment and had no personal ties to her. It further stressed that Mrs. Ayeni does not travel with a convoy on official visits, contrary to insinuations in the report.