The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has firmly denied allegations of irregularities surrounding its upcoming promotion examinations scheduled for July 9 to 11, 2025. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the council’s Director of Policy and Strategy, Lawal Shehu Dalhat, described an online publication accusing the Executive Director/CEO, Nonye Ayeni, of unlawful appointments as “misinformation” and a fundamental misunderstanding of civil service procedures.

Dalhat noted that Ayeni was unfairly portrayed in the report as orchestrating an offence yet to occur. He cited the successful promotion exercise conducted in April 2024, where 74 staff members sat for exams, and 49 were promoted without a single recorded complaint. “That process was transparent, credible, and in full compliance with civil service rules,” Dalhat stated, adding that the CEO’s professional background, including her previous role as Head of HR at Zenith Bank, underscores her capacity for due process.

The NEPC clarified that promotion exams follow a strict approval process starting with a request to the Office of the Head of Service, followed by oversight from a Senior Staff Committee. This committee includes representatives from the Head of Service, Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, and the Federal Civil Service Commission. Dalhat emphasized that 102 candidates were duly screened and announced in a circular issued on June 26, following a June 24 committee meeting, with no complaints from staff received as of yet.

Addressing questions over eligibility, Dalhat referenced a 2022 directive limiting HND holders without additional qualifications to Grade Level 14. He confirmed NEPC’s strict adherence to this rule and denied the involvement of named staff members in any promotion irregularities. He stressed that CEO Ayeni “has no relatives, friends, or associates within the council,” and all examinations are managed transparently by relevant directors and human resources personnel.