Exporter Pushes for NEPC Investigation Amid Fraud Claims

Kabiru Saje, a Nigerian exporter, has called for an urgent investigation into the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) under its current leadership, accusing it of mismanagement and fraudulent practices.

Saje’s letter on Monday, addressed to President Bola Tinubu and several key government officials, raises serious concerns about the direction of the NEPC under Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, who assumed the role of Executive Director in October 2023.

Saje’s allegations focus on several troubling issues, including the lack of staff welfare improvements, undocumented travel expenditures, and NEPC’s questionable partnerships with e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Alibaba.

Saje particularly highlights the case of EASY SALES EXPORT NIGERIA LIMITED, a company registered in 2024, which claims to have secured a $270 million trade deal with Saudi Arabia despite having no record of previous exports. Saje questions NEPC’s involvement in validating this company’s activities and the legitimacy of the deal.

“I call for an immediate investigation into NEPC’s operations, particularly regarding the $270 million trade deal and the promotion of e-commerce as a primary export channel,” said Saje.

“NEPC’s primary role should be to support traditional exporters, not to endorse unproven platforms that don’t serve their needs.”

Saje also expressed concerns about NEPC’s shift towards online training and webinars, which he argues alienates Nigeria’s traditional exporters, particularly those in rural areas without access to digital platforms.

He stressed that over 30,000 companies registered with NEPC between 2020 and 2025 have not received the in-person training they require due to this shift.

The exporter further questions the transparency of NEPC’s partnerships with entities like RATED ROLLING RAB-WORLD NIG. LTD, which lacks active registration with the agency.

He urges the government to investigate NEPC’s role in endorsing unqualified companies and examine the authenticity of the $270 million trade deal.

Saje has called on both the Presidency and the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment to review NEPC’s leadership and budget utilization. He also urges anti-corruption agencies, such as the EFCC and ICPC, to probe the legitimacy of the claims surrounding EASY SALES EXPORT NIGERIA LIMITED and the associated trade deal.

“The future of Nigeria’s non-oil exports is at stake,” Saje stated. “The government must act swiftly to realign NEPC’s operations with its core objectives, prioritizing in-person capacity-building and ensuring transparency in all its dealings.”