Aggrieved staff members of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) have petitioned the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, over what they describe as acts of nepotism, abuse of office, and procedural violations by the Executive Director of the Council, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni.
In a petition dated June 30, 2025, the staff accused Mrs. Ayeni of high-handedness and consistent disregard for the Public Service Rules (PSR).
They alleged that she unlawfully removed a procurement officer from his post to create space for a candidate from her ethnic group, despite the individual’s reported lack of relevant qualifications.
The petitioners implored the Minister to urgently intervene in the matter by suspending the NEPC 2025 promotion exercise scheduled for July 9–11, 2025, pending a thorough investigation.
In the alternative, they suggested that officers disqualified in line with extant government circulars should be removed from the list of eligible candidates, to ensure that only properly qualified staff are allowed to sit for the promotion examination.
The petition also called on the Minister to set up an administrative committee to investigate how and why officers disqualified by existing government circulars were included on the eligibility list for the 2025 promotion exercise.
This list was reportedly approved by the Senior Staff Committee (SSC) during its meeting held on June 24, 2025.
The aggrieved staff urged the committee to specifically examine the role of members of the SSC—particularly the representative from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment (FMITI)—in disregarding these circulars.
They emphasised the need to uphold the tenets of due process and merit within the public service.
Furthermore, the petition requested a full investigation into administrative lapses within the NEPC, especially the role of officers in the Human Resources Department.
The staff alleged that some HR officers may have been compromised and called for disciplinary action against any officer found guilty, in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules.
According to the aggrieved staff, “The Committee should look into the cases of non-conversion of staff which has led to lost of seniority for affected Officers and stalling their career growth.
“The minister may please direct the redeployment of Mr. Rilwanu Salisu (Procurement Officer) from Lokoja back to the Procurement unit in line with PSR 02060.
“The Minister may direct the NEPC to produce a Mobility Policy in line with the PSR to guide posting/transfer of officers in order to curb the practice of using posting/transfer as a tool of coercion and intimidation.
“The Minister may please consider requesting experienced Human Resources Officers from the Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation to be brought to the Council and train Officers on rules regulating the service.
“The Minister should please investigate the circumstance in which the NEPC organisational structure was altered by creating additional department without approval of the Head of Service and the Honourable Minister as required,” the said.
According to them, “The Minister should please investigate why four procurement Officers and one Procurement intern were sent out of the Procurement Unit within a year thereby exposing the Council to various procurement lapses.
“Further, the Minister should kindly investigate why a non procurement Officer on Salary Grade Level 12 should head the Procurement unit and also handling procurement process against laid down rules and why contracts are awarded without complying with procurement procedures.
“The Government should be advised to check the mental health of people before appointing them to head Government Agencies as CEO.
“We are pleading with the Minister to urgently look into the issues raised as they directly affect our carcer progression in the service of NEPC,” they added.
Previously SaharaReporters reported that the NEPC director, Nonye Ayeni, faced serious allegations of nepotism, abuse of office, and deliberate violation of established civil service procedures ahead of the Council’s 2025 promotion exercise.
Multiple insiders within the Council, speaking with SaharaReporters, had accused Ayeni of high-handedness and disregard for the Public Service Rules (PSR).
According to the sources, the NEPC boss has allegedly appointed unqualified individuals to senior positions and arbitrarily redeployed others to roles outside their fields of competence, creating discontent and confusion among career staff.
“There is a growing sense that Mrs. Ayeni runs the Council like her personal business,” one senior official, who spoke under anonymity, told SaharaReporters.
“She discards federal circulars and acts as if she embodies the powers of the Head of Service, the Federal Civil Service Commission, and the National Council on Establishments combined.”
The controversy deepened as documents and testimonies revealed that Ayeni is allegedly preparing to promote a select group of officers in defiance of current civil service circulars and criteria.
Staffs within the Council argue that this move is not only illegal but also undermines meritocracy and staff morale.
“This is unjust, inhuman, and unfair,” another source lamented.
“Some of us with HND qualifications have been sidelined for years under similar circulars, yet we are not even considered for promotion. Now, the rules are suddenly being bent for others.”
The NEPC 2025 Promotion Exercise has been scheduled to take place from July 9 to 11, 2025. An internal circular dated June 26, 2025, with reference number ADM/CONF/SM/I/VOL.12/121, was issued and posted on the NEPC notice board along with a list of eligible candidates.
The circular, obtained by SaharaReporters, was addressed to the Office of the Executive Director/CEO, Directors/Heads of Departments, Regional and State Coordinators, and all staff.
It stated: “Sequel to the meeting of the Senior Staff Committee (SSC) held on June 24, 2025, Management has scheduled the Year 2025 Promotion Exercise/Interview for Officers on Grade Levels 06 to 16 in all cadres, with a maturity date of January 1, 2025.”
However, out of the 102 staff members listed as eligible for the exercise, Ayeni allegedly handpicked only 14 candidates —raising concerns of favouritism and non-compliance with due process.
The recently released promotion list has generated tension, anxiety, and outrage among staff members of the NEPC due to the inclusion of certain officers reportedly disqualified by extant circulars from participating in the promotion exercise.
One of the key circulars cited is the Circular on Use of Only Academic Qualifications for Entry into the Civil/Public Service, with reference No. HCSF/SPsO/ODD/NCE/CND.100/S.10/111/104, dated 12th April 2021.
The circular stipulates that only academic qualifications, and not professional certifications, shall be used for entry or advancement within the Public Service.
In a clarification issued by the Office of the Head of Civil Service, it was stated:
“A holder of a Higher National Diploma (HND) and a professional certificate (ICAN, ANAN, or COREN), without a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) and a Master’s Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field from a recognized university, cannot be promoted to the Directorate level in the Public Service as stipulated in the extant scheme of service.”
For further clarity, a subsequent circular dated 7th November 2022, with reference No. HCSF/SPSO/ODD/E&WP/64976/52, emphasised: “For the avoidance of doubt, all HND holders terminate on SGL 14 in the Public Service, whether with or without professional qualifications.”
However, a document obtained by SaharaReporters indicates that Mrs. Ayeni has concluded plans to promote Mr. Abayomi Akodu (Deputy Director – Accounts), Mr. Joshua Mani (Assistant Director – Accounts), and other accounting officers.
A source within NEPC told SaharaReporters that these officers were excluded from previous promotion examinations due to their lack of the required qualifications.
Another source warned that if these officers are promoted as allegedly planned by the Executive Director/CEO, it would cause serious injustice to other staff and could result in unrest.