Staff Threaten Strike Over Alleged Illegal Contract Appointments at NEPC

Staff of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) have threatened to embark on industrial action over what they described as the planned illegal re-engagement of four retired and retiring officers on contract appointments, alleging that the move violates the Public Service Rules (PSR) and undermines due process.

The development marks the latest controversy to engulf the Council, whose Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, is already facing allegations of financial misconduct, abuse of office, administrative irregularities and nepotism contained in a petition reportedly submitted to anti-corruption agencies by aggrieved staff.

Sources within the Council told our correspondent that employees across various departments are preparing to shut down operations at the agency if the planned appointments are not reversed.

According to the sources, the Executive Director allegedly secured approval from the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment to recall four retired or retiring officers on contract appointments without following the procedures stipulated in the Public Service Rules.

The officers listed for the appointments are Mr. Benjamin Chima Achor, a Chief Trade Officer who retired in June 2026; Mr. Ala I. Onoja, a Deputy Director; Mr. Sunday Ayodele Emmanuel, an Assistant Director; and Mr. Nzeh P. Njokwu, a Deputy Director who is scheduled to retire in August 2026.

The planned appointments reportedly generated outrage after Mrs. Ayeni confirmed the development during a meeting with the Council’s management staff.

According to multiple staff members, the announcement triggered widespread anger, with workers describing the move as unlawful and vowing to resist any attempt to reinstate the retired officers.

“Our main grouse is the lack of transparency and the blatant refusal to comply with due process and the Public Service Rules in trying to reward her cronies with contract appointments,” one staff member, who requested anonymity for fear of victimisation, said.

“This is one administrative impunity too many and we can no longer play the ostrich while established norms and values are gradually being eroded. Just look at Section 4 of the Public Service Rules and you will appreciate the magnitude of institutional harm and desecration of the PSR being perpetrated.”

Another source familiar with the matter maintained that none of the statutory conditions required for contract appointments had been met.

“The relevant provisions of the Public Service Rules clearly list conditions for contract appointments in the public service. None of those conditions were fulfilled before obtaining what many staff consider a questionable approval to re-engage the retired officers,” the source said.

The workers further alleged that tensions worsened after Mrs. Ayeni reportedly warned that she could redeploy directors and other civil servants into the Council should staff continue to oppose the appointments.

The threat, according to insiders, has further hardened the resolve of employees, many of whom now believe industrial action may be the only option left to challenge the decision.

Allegations of Favouritism

Staff members also alleged that the four officers were personally selected by the Executive Director without consultation with the Council’s management or the Senior Staff Committee.

According to them, most of the officers are from the same geographical region as Mrs. Ayeni and were considered close associates during their years in service.

Particular attention has been drawn to the proposed re-engagement of Mr. Benjamin Chima Achor.

Several staff members alleged that Achor wielded significant influence within the Council before his retirement and was widely perceived as one of the Executive Director’s closest allies.

They further claimed that his official retirement date of June 20, 2026, was allegedly altered before employees protested, forcing him to leave the Council on June 25.

Questions Over Compliance with Public Service Rules

The controversy has centred largely on whether the proposed appointments comply with the Public Service Rules governing contract employment in the federal civil service.

Sections 020403 and 020405 of the PSR provide that contract appointments may only be made where specialised skills are unavailable within the service, the positions relate to funded projects with defined lifespans, the vacancies are publicly advertised, the applicants voluntarily seek contract employment, and the required skills are identified and defended before the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for approval.

The rules also require a competitive selection process to ensure merit and protect the career progression of serving officers.

However, staff alleged that none of these conditions were satisfied.

“Our concern is that there was no advertisement in national newspapers, no waiver from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service, no competitive selection process and no evidence of any special project requiring these appointments,” another source said.

“We believe the Honourable Minister may have been misled into granting the approval because these officers do not possess unique competencies that cannot be sourced within the Council.”

Employees also questioned reports that approval for the appointments was allegedly obtained weeks before some of the officers officially retired.

Career Progression Concerns

Beyond alleged procedural violations, staff fear that bringing retired officers back into the organisation could block promotion opportunities for serving employees.

One management staff member, who also requested anonymity, argued that the Executive Director lacked the authority to unilaterally approve such appointments.

“The truth is that Mrs. Ayeni lacks the authority to engage retired staff on contract except with the approval of the Senior Staff Committee, which includes representatives of management, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service, the supervising ministry and the Federal Civil Service Commission,” the official said.

He added that previous allegations of administrative breaches and financial impropriety, which allegedly attracted no sanctions, may have emboldened the Executive Director to proceed without following established procedures.

No official comments from the management of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council on the allegations s of press time.