Nigerian Export Promotion Council Hit By Internal Revolt Over N72Million Redeployment Scandal
Internal Revolt Rocks NEPC Over Alleged ₦72m Redeployment Allowance Scandal
January 21, 2026 | News
There is growing internal unrest within the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) following allegations of financial impropriety linked to a controversial nationwide staff redeployment exercise under the leadership of the Council’s Executive Director, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni.
Multiple senior sources within the NEPC told SaharaReporters that the disputed ₦72 million figure represents the cumulative transfer allowances expected to be paid to officers affected by recent mass redeployments across state and zonal offices. The sources clarified that the figure was not publicly released by Mrs. Ayeni.
However, insiders insist that the expenditure was neither appropriated nor provided for in the NEPC’s 2025 budget, nor captured in the Council’s approved procurement plan, raising serious concerns about compliance with public financial regulations.
According to the sources, the alleged move to disburse such a substantial sum without budgetary backing is being viewed internally as a clear breach of extant financial rules governing public institutions.
Alleged Ego-Driven Exercise
A highly placed official questioned the rationale behind the redeployment exercise, describing it as “ego-driven rather than institutionally necessary.”
“Many officers are questioning why such a huge expenditure was incurred just to satisfy personal interests,” the source said.
“Would Mrs. Ayeni have embarked on this exercise if NEPC were her private company?”
Another insider echoed similar concerns, noting that the redeployment lacks clear operational justification, particularly at a time when the Council is grappling with funding shortages, poor staff welfare, and weak capacity-building programmes.
Sources further questioned the propriety of spending ₦72 million on transfer allowances when staff training programmes for part of 2024 were abandoned and those for 2025 allegedly not conducted at all.
Allegations of Misappropriation
A top NEPC source told SaharaReporters that the proposed payment is widely regarded within the organisation as a misuse and misappropriation of public funds.
“Under the circumstances, payment of this sum amounts to misappropriation and misuse of government funds,” the source said, adding that a prudent chief executive would have avoided creating what staff consider an unnecessary, wasteful, provocative, and self-serving expenditure line.
Alleged Plans to Short-Pay Affected Officers
Tensions reportedly escalated after affected officers alleged that despite the redeployments taking effect on December 1, 2025, transfer allowances have yet to be paid.
More troubling, staff sources claimed that NEPC management plans to short-pay officers by reducing their Daily Travelling Allowance (DTA) or paying kilometre allowances instead of air tickets, allegedly in violation of the Public Service Rules.
“This has generated deep anger and resentment,” a source said. “Many see it as unfair, unjust, and sheer wickedness.”
Others questioned why the redeployment exercise was initiated without first assessing its full financial implications.
“It’s like trying to make an omelette without breaking the egg,” one officer remarked sarcastically.
Emergency Meeting and Alleged Plea for Secrecy
The crisis reportedly forced an emergency General Staff Meeting held on Thursday, January 15, 2025, at the NEPC Auditorium in Abuja, with a Microsoft Teams link provided for officers in state offices nationwide.
According to multiple attendees, Mrs. Ayeni appeared visibly shaken and disorganised, and at several points allegedly spoke out of line.
During the meeting, she reportedly pleaded with staff not to escalate the matter, urging them to “keep our secrets from outsiders.”
Sources said the meeting became inevitable following a press statement issued by the Arewa Progressive Assembly (APA), published by Vanguard on January 9, 2026, calling on the ICPC and EFCC to investigate Mrs. Ayeni’s administration.
Mrs. Ayeni reportedly promised to address staff grievances, including the alleged failure to conduct training programmes throughout 2025 and part of 2024. However, many staff reportedly left the meeting unconvinced, describing her assurances as recycled promises aimed at temporarily calming tensions.
Strike Looms
With grievances unresolved and trust badly eroded, SaharaReporters gathered that aggrieved staff are now considering a nationwide strike.
“The mood across the Council is volatile,” a senior officer said. “People feel abused, ignored, and victimised.”
Mounting External Pressure
Beyond internal unrest, external pressure continues to mount. Exporters and civil society groups have repeatedly called on the Federal Government to intervene, accusing the NEPC leadership of mismanagement, corruption, and highhandedness.
On May 29, 2025, a group petitioned the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, urging an urgent probe and restructuring of the Council. Similar calls were made by the Agro-Tech Exporters Forum on June 23, 2025, while another petition dated June 30, 2025, was sent to the ICPC and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
The most recent intervention came from the Arewa Progressive Assembly, whose January 9, 2026 statement added to growing media scrutiny.
Government Silence Raises Questions
Despite the wave of petitions and public outcry, insiders expressed concern that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has yet to take visible action.
Sources said the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment was expected to issue a public statement or constitute an investigative panel, but her perceived silence has fuelled speculation and agitation.
The only reported intervention came from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, which allegedly halted plans by Mrs. Ayeni to promote officers disqualified from the 2025 promotion exercise.
Sources claimed Mrs. Ayeni initially defied the directive until a special monitoring team from the Head of Service’s office reportedly stormed the NEPC venue and stopped the exercise.
Following the incident, insiders alleged that Mrs. Ayeni ignored other directives without consequence.
“As far as we can tell, nothing has happened,” a source said. “She operates like an island unto herself.”
Efforts to obtain a response from NEPC spokesperson, Mr. Aliu Seidu Sadiq, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.