By Felix Khanoba
The Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has refuted claims made by an online publication, SaharaReporters, which alleged violations of civil service procedures in its forthcoming promotion examinations.
In an official statement signed by the Council’s Director of Policy and Strategy, Lawal Shehu Dalhat, the NEPC described the report—which accused its Executive Director and CEO, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, of making appointments contrary to established guidelines—as entirely false and misleading.
According to the statement: “The attention of the council has been drawn to a story in SaharaReporters regarding the forthcoming promotion examinations at the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC).In the report, the online publication accused our Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Mrs. Nonye Ayeni of ‘carrying out appointments in violation of procedures.’The article is a clear example of egregious and blatant misinformation and a poor understanding of how promotion examinations are conducted in the civil service.”
The Council emphasized that it had no intention of engaging in a public dispute but felt compelled to clarify the procedures surrounding the scheduled promotion examinations, set to hold from July 9 to 11, 2025.
“But before explaining the process of promotion examinations, it is pertinent to refer again to the date of the planned examinations – July 9 – 11, 2025. What this means is that Mrs. Ayeni has been accused and convicted of an offence which, according to the publication of July 2, 2025, she is planning to commit seven days after she has been found guilty. Can there be a more shocking and unkind miscarriage of justice.”
The statement recalled that in the previous year, 74 staff members took part in the Council’s promotion exams, held from April 3 to 4, 2024. Out of these, 49 candidates were successful and promoted. That process, the Council noted, was deemed credible and free from bias.
It added that Mrs. Ayeni’s leadership was grounded in strict compliance with civil service regulations, bolstered by her prior experience as Head of Human Resources at Zenith Bank Plc.
“The success of that exercise which was not disputed by one single member of staff or management was a clear demonstration of Mrs. Ayeni’s attention to detail, strict adherence to extant civil service rules and her long experience as a past Head of Human Resources at Zenith Bank Plc, a fact many people at the council were not even aware of.”
The Council further explained that promotion examinations within the civil service are not the sole prerogative of any individual, including the ED/CEO. Rather, they are subject to approvals from the Head of Service, compliance with eligibility criteria, and collective decisions by a Senior Staff Committee.
“Now, let us explain to SaharaReporters how examinations are conducted in the Civil Service in order to show that one person, ED/CEO or not, cannot unilaterally promote staff,” it said.
The Council outlined that after securing necessary approvals from the Head of Service, the Senior Staff Committee—which includes representatives from various federal agencies—sets the examination dates and procedures. The Council insisted that it would be impossible for any one individual to determine who takes part in the exams.
“With this composition is it impossible for the ED/CEO to ‘handpick’ or unilaterally decide who gets to sit for the promotion examinations because the meetings are held in strict adherence to civil service rules.”
NEPC stated that the Senior Staff Committee for the upcoming exam met on June 24, 2025, and communicated the final list of 102 eligible candidates through a circular dated June 26, 2025. The Council reported no internal objections from staff.
The council also addressed issues raised by SaharaReporters concerning HND holders and eligibility for promotion to Directorate levels, reaffirming that the Council is operating within the bounds of public service guidelines.
“The forthcoming examinations have not in any way flouted this directive nor does it intend to.”
The Council further dismissed allegations of favouritism involving certain named officers.
“Messrs Akodu and Mani have not sat for the exams. They have not passed or failed neither have they been promoted. So where is the offence? What happens if they sit the examinations and do not pass? Will the charges of favoritism and nepotism hold?”
Clarifying another point, the statement also distanced Mrs. Ayeni from any ties to a retired staff member cited in the report.
“In the case of Mr. Salami, he retired less than one year after Mrs. Ayeni was appointed and could not in any shape or form be construed as a friend, relative or associate.”
On the examination process itself, the Council stressed that the ED/CEO has no role in setting or grading the exams, which are managed entirely by Council Directors, adding that results are submitted at the end of the exercise for further administrative action.
“The process is simple: Directors at the council set the questions on the day of the examination. The exams hold and the answers are collated and marked by the same Directors on the same day which is why the process can last past midnight,” the statement said.
It also noted that even a successful performance does not automatically guarantee promotion, as vacant positions must be available before any advancement can take place.
“Now there is a curious twist to exams and promotions in the civil service. A member of staff can pass the exam and yet not be promoted.”
The Council reaffirmed that the July promotion exercise will proceed in full compliance with civil service standards, and rejected the suggestion that nepotism was at play.
“The ED/CEO has no relative, friend or associate at the council and no one is being offered a job or a promotion as a favour,” the statement added.
