CSOs Defend NEPC Boss Amid Alleged Lapses In Promotion Exercise

Civil Society Groups for Good Governance (CSGGG) has defended the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and its executive director/CEO, Mrs Nonye Ayeni, against recent allegations surrounding the agency’s forthcoming promotion examinations.

Addressing newsmen yesterday in Abuja, Comrade Ogakwu Dominic, president of CSGGG, described the allegations as “premature, speculative, and unfounded,” emphasising that the promotion exercise has not yet occurred.

“The promotion process within the NEPC is transparent, fair, and strictly in line with established civil service rules,” he stated.

“It involves key oversight from the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, which considers manpower budgets, available vacancies, and candidate eligibility before any action is taken,” Dominic said

According to the group, the process also involved a Senior Staff Committee with representatives from the NEPC, the Federal Ministry of Trade, Industry  and Investment, the Office of the Head of Service, and the Federal Civil Service Commission. This committee is charged with ensuring impartiality and compliance throughout the promotion process.

The group cited an official circular —ADM/CONF/SM/I/VOL.12/121 — dated June 26, 2025, which communicated the list of eligible candidates to NEPC staff, further supporting claims of transparency.

Addressing accusations that specific individuals are favoured for promotion, the group dismissed the claims as baseless.

“These individuals have not yet sat for the examination, let alone been promoted,” Dominic noted. “Such claims lack substance and are clearly aimed at sowing discord.”

The organisation also referenced the council’s previous promotion exercise in 2024, which saw 74 staff participate and 49 promoted. The process, praised for its credibility, was overseen by Mrs. Ayeni and credited with adhering to proper civil service procedures.

CSGGG called on critics to stop spreading misinformation and encouraged stakeholders to support merit-based systems.

“We commend the leadership of NEPC for remaining focused on its mission of boosting Nigeria’s non-oil export capacity under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

Reaffirming its commitment to ethical leadership and institutional integrity, the group pledged continued monitoring of the NEPC and other public agencies to ensure transparency and professionalism in governance.