False Strike Report Debunked as NEPC Staff Back Management

The Management of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has dismissed reports circulating on some online media platforms alleging that members of staff are planning to embark on a strike action.
Following a joint meeting with the leadership of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), NEPC Unit, the Council assured the exporting community and the general public that there is no planned or contemplated industrial action within the organisation.
In a statement issued by the Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Aliu Seidu Sadiq, the Council described the reported strike as false, baseless and misleading, urging the public to disregard the claims.
According to the statement, the Union Chairman, Comrade Moruf Ogunlana, reaffirmed that the Council continues to enjoy industrial harmony, stressing that neither the Union nor its members were consulted on any alleged strike action.
The Union also disassociated itself from the online publications and pledged its continued cooperation with the Management in maintaining a peaceful working environment.
Addressing reports on the alleged appointment of Directors, the Management clarified that no such appointments had been made. It explained that the Council would continue to operate with its existing organisational structure while strengthening staff capacity and enhancing employees’ skills to support effective service delivery.
The statement noted that the approach reflects the commitment of the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer to building internal capacity rather than outsourcing responsibilities.
It further disclosed that under the current leadership, opportunities for career growth have been expanded through the widening of the Directorate cadre and the creation of additional advancement pathways across all staff categories.
The Council also highlighted significant improvements in staff welfare, revealing that more than 75 per cent of NEPC personnel have received professional training in various fields since 2023.
In addition, the Executive Director/CEO has introduced transformative initiatives, including the Export Skills Acquisition Centre (ESAC), which has trained over 500 youths and women in garment and bag production for export.
Both the Management and the Union equally dismissed allegations of favouritism and nepotism, describing them as unfounded and inconsistent with the realities within the Council. The Union maintained that Mrs. Ayeni has consistently demonstrated fairness, professionalism and inclusiveness in her leadership, treating all staff equally regardless of tribe or background.
The statement added that since her appointment in 2023, the Council has recorded remarkable achievements, including Nigeria’s highest-ever non-oil export value of 6.1 billion dollars in 2025, attributed to initiatives aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
It also noted that NEPC has implemented a comprehensive third-party certification programme covering HACCP, FDA, HALAL and ISO standards, enabling more than 150 exporters to secure internationally recognised certifications and access global niche markets.
The Council, therefore, urged the public to disregard the misleading reports, reaffirming that both Management and staff remain committed to working harmoniously with all stakeholders to advance Nigeria’s non-oil export agenda in line with the Renewed Hope vision of the Federal Government.