The Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has denied allegations of nepotism and bias in the forthcoming promotion examinations for its staff.
In a statement signed by Lawal Shehu Dalhat, Director (Policy and Strategy), the council described the claims as “egregious and blatant misinformation” and a “poor understanding of how promotion examinations are conducted in the civil service.”
The council explained that the promotion process is transparent and in strict adherence to civil service rules.
The Senior Staff Committee, which includes representatives from the Head of Service, the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, and the Federal Civil Service Commission, oversees the process.
According to Dalhat, the committee held a meeting on June 24, 2025, and communicated the list of eligible candidates to the staff on June 26, 2025. The examinations are scheduled to take place from July 9 to 11, 2025.
The council also clarified that a member of staff can pass the exam but not be promoted if there is no vacancy above their grade level. This, according to the council, is a strict adherence to the rules and not unjust or inhumane.
The NEPC emphasised that the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, has no input in setting exam questions, collating, and marking answers, and that the process is designed to prevent any single individual from unilaterally deciding who gets promoted.
The council assured that the promotion examinations will be conducted fairly and transparently, with no room for nepotism or bias.