The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has dismissed reports circulating on some online platforms alleging that members of staff are planning to embark on an industrial action.

In a statement issued by the Head of Corporate Communications, Aliu Seidu Sadiq, on Monday in Abuja, described the claims as false and misleading.

Seidu said the clarification followed a joint meeting between its management and the leadership of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN).

He assured that NEPC both parties reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining industrial harmony within the organisation.

He urged the exporting community and the general public to disregard the reports, insisting that no strike action had been planned or contemplated.

“The purported strike action is false, baseless, and should be disregarded by the general public.”

According to the statement, the Chairman of the ASCSN, NEPC Unit, Comrade Moruf Ogunlana, maintained that the Council continues to enjoy a peaceful working relationship between management and staff.

The Union Chairman also stated that neither the union nor its members were consulted on any alleged strike plan, distancing the union from the online reports and reaffirming its commitment to sustaining cooperation with the management.

Addressing reports on the alleged appointment of directors, the Council clarified that no such appointments had been made.

It explained that the current management would continue to rely on the existing organisational structure and personnel across its departments while strengthening staff capacity through continuous training and professional development.

The Council noted that the approach reflects the management’s determination to build internal capacity instead of outsourcing responsibilities.

It further stated that under the leadership of the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Ayeni, opportunities for career progression have expanded through the widening of the directorate cadre and the creation of advancement pathways for officers across various levels.

The statement added that staff welfare has also improved significantly, revealing that more than 75 per cent of NEPC employees have received professional training since 2023.

It also highlighted the establishment of the Export Skills Acquisition Centre (ESAC), which has trained over 500 youths and women in garment and bag production for export, describing the initiative as one of several programmes aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s non-oil export sector.

Management and the union also rejected allegations of favouritism and nepotism, describing the claims as unfounded and inconsistent with realities within the Council.

The union, according to the statement, affirmed that Mrs. Ayeni has continued to demonstrate fairness, professionalism and inclusiveness in the administration of the Council, ensuring equal treatment for employees irrespective of ethnic or regional background.

The Council further pointed to its performance since the current management assumed office in 2023, noting that Nigeria recorded a non-oil export value of $6.1 billion in 2025, the highest since the establishment of the Council.

It attributed the achievement to initiatives designed to support the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The statement also disclosed that the Council 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 gain easier access to specialised global markets.