The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Dr. Nonye Ayeni, has denied allegations of nepotism and abuse of office leveled against her by some members of the agency's staff.

In an exclusive interview on Thursday, Dr. Ayeni described the accusations as baseless and politically motivated, stressing her full alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“I am a woman of integrity, and Mr. President’s vision is my priority,” she said. “I have never acted with nepotism, nor have I abused my office. These claims are false and meant to distract me from carrying out my duties.”

Dr. Ayeni also cautioned against the circulation of misinformation and urged the media to verify facts before publication.

“Those spreading falsehoods need to stop. I urge media houses to thoroughly fact-check before releasing such damaging claims,” she added.

The allegations, initially reported by an online media outlet (not Vanguard), accuse Dr. Ayeni of bypassing a certified procurement officer to install a less qualified individual from her ethnic group as head of the Procurement Unit — a move said to violate civil service rules and stoke ethnic tensions within the council.

According to unnamed sources, the replacement was strategically orchestrated to place a loyalist in the department. “She deliberately installed Kenneth there; he’s now her eyes in Procurement. The process breached due process,” one source alleged.

Further claims suggest that Dr. Ayeni has been using staff redeployments as a tool for control and retaliation, allegedly targeting those who disagree with her leadership. This practice, critics say, goes against civil service protocols.

While Public Service Rule 020602 allows for staff redeployment under a formal Employee Mobility Policy, insiders allege that NEPC currently lacks such a policy—raising concerns over the legitimacy of recent transfers.

“There’s no official mobility framework at NEPC, which makes these staff movements questionable,” a staff member was quoted as saying.

These developments have reportedly affected morale within the council, with some staff describing the workplace environment as tense and marked by fear and distrust.

Despite the controversy, Dr. Ayeni insists her actions have been consistent with public service ethics and national interest. She reaffirmed her loyalty to President Tinubu’s administration and its core policy goals.