NEPC Denies Promotion Irregularities, Faults Online Report

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council has debunked claims of irregularities in its upcoming promotion exams, describing a recent online publication as misleading and factually incorrect.

The report had accused the Council’s Executive Director, Nonye Ayeni, of planning to promote staff in violation of procedure — an allegation NEPC says is false and premature, as the exams are scheduled for July 9th to 11th and no promotions have taken place.

“It is curious that SaharaReporters has convicted Mrs. Ayeni of an offence she hasn’t committed, over an examination that has not even taken place,” said Lawal Shehu Dalhat, NEPC’s Director of Policy and Strategy, in an official response from the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

A statement issued on Friday in Abuja by NEPC’s Director of Policy and Strategy, Lawal Shehu Dalhat, explained that promotion exercises in the civil service are strictly regulated, with approvals from the Head of Service and oversight by a Senior Staff Committee.

“The Executive Director cannot promote or handpick anyone. She neither sets nor marks the exams. The questions are prepared and graded by Directors on the same day of the exam in the presence of multiple officials,” Dalhat explained. “Mrs. Ayeni merely receives the results, alongside the Director of Human Resources and my office.”

He adds that the Council circulated the list of eligible candidates on June 26, following a Senior Staff Committee meeting on June 24, 2025.

A total of 102 qualified staff were cleared to participate. “To date, not a single complaint has been received internally,” he notes.

NEPC also clarified its strict adherence to public service rules governing the advancement of holders of Higher National Diplomas (HND).

Citing the federal circular dated November 7, 2022 (Ref. No.HCSF/SPSO/ODD/E\&WP/64976/52), Dalhat stated: “We fully comply with the policy that HND holders cannot be promoted to the directorate cadre without additional academic qualifications.”

He also dismissed claims of nepotism, clarifying that the named officers have not even sat for the exams.

The Council insists the process is transparent, merit-based, and fully in line with civil service rules.