Multiple senior sources within the NEPC told SaharaReporters that the ₦72 million figure represents the cumulative transfer allowances expected to be paid to officers affected by the recent mass redeployments across state and zonal offices, and that the figure was not released by Mrs. Ayeni.
There is an internal revolt within the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) over allegations of financial impropriety trailing the administration of the Council’s Executive Director, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, following a controversial nationwide staff redeployment exercise estimated to have cost ₦72 million.
Multiple senior sources within the NEPC told SaharaReporters that the ₦72 million figure represents the cumulative transfer allowances expected to be paid to officers affected by the recent mass redeployments across state and zonal offices, and that the figure was not released by Mrs. Ayeni.
However, insiders insist that the expenditure was neither appropriated nor captured under the NEPC’s 2025 budgetary provisions, nor was it included in the Council’s approved procurement plan.
According to the sources, this has raised serious red flags within the organisation, as the alleged payment of such a huge sum without budgetary backing is being viewed as a clear violation of extant financial regulations governing public institutions.
Alleged Personal Ego Project
One highly placed official questioned the rationale behind the redeployment exercise, describing it as “an ego-driven decision rather than an institutional necessity.”
“A lot of officers are questioning the reason for incurring this high expenditure just to satisfy a personal ego,” the source said.
“Would Mrs. Ayeni have embarked on this exercise with such enormous cost if the NEPC was her private company?”
Another insider echoed similar concerns, stressing that the exercise has no clear operational justification, especially at a time when the Council is grappling with funding constraints, poor staff welfare, and lack of capacity-building programmes.
Insiders further questioned the propriety of spending ₦72 million on transfer allowances when staff training programmes for 2024 were partly abandoned and those for 2025 allegedly not conducted at all.
Allegations of Misappropriation
A top source told SaharaReporters that the proposed payment is being widely regarded internally as a misuse and misappropriation of public funds.
“Payment of this sum, under the circumstances, is regarded as misappropriation and misuse of government funds under existing financial regulations,” the source said.
The source added that any prudent chief executive officer would have avoided creating such a massive expenditure line, especially one widely seen by staff as unnecessary, wasteful, provocative, and self-serving.
Plans to Short-Pay Affected Staff
Tensions escalated further following information obtained from aggrieved staff indicating that despite the redeployments taking effect since December 1, 2025, transfer allowances are yet to be paid.
More troubling, according to staff sources, are alleged plans by the NEPC management to short-pay affected officers by either slashing their Daily Travelling Allowance (DTA) or paying kilometre allowance instead of air tickets, contrary to provisions of the Public Service Rules.
“This has generated anger and deep resentment within the Council,” a source said. “Many staff see it as unfair, unjust, and an act of sheer wickedness.”
Others questioned why Mrs. Ayeni initiated the redeployment exercise in the first place without first determining its full financial implications.
“It’s like trying to make an omelette without breaking the egg,” another officer remarked sarcastically.
Emergency General Staff Meeting and Plea to ‘Keep Secrets’
The unfolding scenario reportedly triggered renewed tension, forcing an emergency General Staff Meeting on Thursday, January 15, 2025, at the NEPC Auditorium in Abuja by 10:00 am.
A Microsoft Teams link was also circulated to enable officers in state offices nationwide to participate.
According to multiple sources who attended the meeting, Mrs. Ayeni appeared visibly shaken, disorganised, and at several points spoke out of line.
During the meeting, she allegedly pleaded with staff members not to escalate the crisis, urging them to “keep our secrets from outsiders.”
SaharaReporters learned that the meeting became unavoidable following a press statement issued by the Arewa Progressive Assembly (APA), published by Vanguard Newspaper on January 9, 2026, which called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to launch a thorough investigation into Mrs. Ayeni’s activities as Executive Director of NEPC.
Sources said Mrs. Ayeni promised to look into several staff grievances, including the non-training of officers for the whole of 2025 and part of 2024.
However, many officers reportedly left the meeting unconvinced, viewing her assurances as yet another round of unfulfilled promises aimed at temporarily dousing staff anger.
Strike Looms
With grievances unresolved and trust severely eroded, SaharaReporters gathered that aggrieved staff are already considering a planned nationwide strike if management fails to address their demands promptly.
“The mood across the Council is volatile,” a senior officer said. “People feel abused, ignored, and victimised.”
Mounting External Pressure and Petitions
Beyond internal unrest, pressure from external stakeholders has continued to mount. Exporters and civil society groups have repeatedly called on the Federal Government to intervene and rescue the NEPC from what they describe as mismanagement, corruption, and highhanded leadership.
On May 29, 2025, a group petitioned the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, urging her to urgently probe and restructure the NEPC under Mrs. Ayeni.
Similarly, the Agro-Tech Exporters Forum issued a press statement on June 23, 2025, echoing the call for intervention.
Another petition was forwarded on June 30, 2025, to the ICPC and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, accusing Mrs. Ayeni of abuse of office, corruption, disregard for Public Service Rules, and other administrative lapses.
The most recent of such interventions is the Arewa Progressive Assembly’s press statement published on January 9, 2026, adding to a growing list of media reports and public criticisms.
Government Silence Raises Suspicion
Despite the avalanche of petitions and public outcry, sources expressed concern that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has yet to take visible action.
According to insiders, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, was expected to at least issue a public statement or set up an administrative panel to investigate the allegations.
Her perceived silence has fuelled speculation, rumours, and further agitation among staff and stakeholders.
The only notable intervention, according to sources, came from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, following reports that Mrs. Ayeni planned to promote officers disqualified from participating in the 2025 promotion exercise.
The Head of Service reportedly issued a circular halting the move.
However, Mrs. Ayeni allegedly defied the directive and proceeded with the exercise until a special monitoring team from the Head of Service’s office stormed the NEPC venue and physically stopped the disqualified officers from participating.
Following that incident, insiders said Mrs. Ayeni refused to comply with other directives contained in the circular, with no apparent consequences.
“As far as we can tell, nothing has happened to her,” a source said. “She operates like an island unto herself.”
Attempts to reach NEPC spokesperson Mr. Aliu Seidu Sadiq for comment were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.