The Nigeria Export Promotion Council, NEPC says there will be no breach of Civil Service Rules in Forthcoming NEPC Promotion Exams scheduled to take place from July 9 to 11, 2025.
NEPC in a statement signed by the
Director Policy and Strategy, Lawal Dalhat refuted accusations leveled on its Executive Director, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni of “carrying out appointments in violation of procedures” in an article published by SaharaReporters.
According to the statement, “The article is a clear example of egregious and blatant misinformation and a poor understanding of how promotion examinations are conducted in the civil service.”
“While we will refrain from joining issues with the publication, it is important to provide clarification regarding the exercise scheduled to take place from July 9 to 11, 2025 because there is nothing to hide.”
“To put things in context, last year, 74 members of staff of the Council sat for promotion examinations from 3-4 April, 2024 which ran all day up until past midnight. 49 passed and were promoted. It was adjudge free, fair and without irregularities and bias.” It said.
The statement also explained to Reporters how examinations are conducted in the Civil Service in order to show that one person, ED/CEO or not, cannot unilaterally promote staff.
“Before a promotion examination is held, the Council will write to the Head of Service (HoS) to request approval of its manpower budget where the available vacancies for promotion are considered and approved by the Head of Service of the Federation.”
“The request must be accompanied with justification showing that members of staff have met the statutory requirement to seat for the promotion exercise which include serving on a grade level for the requisite three (3/4) years before they can sit for promotion, among other things.” NEPC explained.
“If the HoS sees merit in the application, the approval will be granted and once that approval is granted the ED/CEO will then convene a Senior Staff Committee meeting that considers the approval, come up with the date, disciplinary and administrative issues modalities and format for the interview and examination.”
“With this composition is it impossible for the ED/CEO to “handpick” or unilaterally decide who gets to sit for the promotion examinations because the meetings are held in strict adherence to civil service rules.”
“The Senior Staff Committee meeting for the forthcoming promotion examinations was held on 24/06/2025 and the circular with reference number ADM/CONF/SM/I/VOL.12/121 was subsequently communicated to the entire staff on 26/06/2025 in accordance with the civil service rules along with a list of 102 eligible candidates.”
“As at the time of writing, not a single complaint has been received so it is perplexing to read in SaharaReporters reports of discontent within the council.”
While responding to the civil service rules regarding promotions for staff without degrees or with HND certificates the NEPC affirmed it compliance.
“When the promotion examinations were held in 2024, many members of staff who had been on the same level for over eight years were overjoyed to finally have an opportunity to sit for promotions. When such a long period of stagnation is discovered, the ED/CEO can, with the advice of the Senior Staff Committee, write to the HoS to request that such a member of staff be allowed to sit for the promotion examinations on humanitarian grounds.”
“For the forthcoming examinations members of staff who have been on the same grade level for over three years have been prioritized and while the online publication has mentioned the names of Mr. Abayomi Akodu (Deputy Director – Accounts), Mr. Joshua Mani (Assistant Director – Accounts), failed to substantiate their claims of nepotism aside from the snide allusion to blackmail.”
“Messrs Akodu and Mani have not sat for the exams. They have not passed or failed neither have they been promoted. So where is the offence? What happens if they sit the examinations and do not pass? Will the charges of favoritism and nepotism hold?” It stated.
“For further clarifications regarding the conduct of the promotion examinations; the ED/CEO has no input in how the exams are set, collated and marked.”
“The promotion examinations for staff of the council have been set for July 9-11 2025 in strict adherence and compliance with civil service rules.” The statement added.
Olusola Akintonde