Pegasus Reporters Issues on the Wing
“Are you aware that EASY SALES EXPORT NIGERIA LIMITED (RC: 7670167), a company registered on 9 July 2024 and claiming to have secured a $270 million trade deal under the Nigeria-Saudi Arabia agreement, is less than a year old? Official trade data indicates Nigeria’s total agro-export to Saudi Arabia in 2024 was under $500,000, casting doubt on this claim”
*CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Nonye Ayeni
PEGASUS REPORTERS, LAGOS | APRIL 27, 2025
An urgent call has been made for investigation by the federal government, relevant anti- graft and regulatory bodies in the country into the running of the Nigerian Export Promotions Council under Mr. Nonye Ayeni.
The call made and signed by one Barrister Kabiru Saje for Concerned Nigerian Citizen and Advocate for Economic Diversification and copied to the offices of the President, the Vice President, senate President, Anti-graft Agencies like the EFCC, CPC, ICPC and relevant ministeries of the Federal Republic of Nigeria accused the NEPC and its mamnagement among other allegations of underming the core values of the NEPC, deviation from NEPC’s statutory objectives, Lack of Staff Welfare and Organisational Growth, Unsubstantiated Travel and Expenditure, and Partnership with Questionable Entities.
The petitioners raise grave concern about the proprietory of governance of the export promotion body under Mrs Ayeni and requested that investigations be conducted into specific areas of operations since she assumed office as Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer on 13 October 2023.
The petition dated April 27th, 2025 titled “Urgent Call for Investigation and Realignment of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) Under Mrs. Nonye Ayeni’s Leadership” gave names of some entities that are suspected as planted by the management to siphone funds especially as it noted that such corporate entities cannot qualify for what they have benefited under the management of NEPC under Mrs. Monye Ayeni.
A full text of the petition reads:
Dear Esteemed Leaders and Authorities, Nigeria, a nation with a rich history of international trade and robust relationships with global partners, is endowed with professional organisations and regulatory bodies such as the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Produce Inspection Service, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Shippers’ Council, and many others. These institutions are tasked with fostering a sustainable export ecosystem to diversify Nigeria’s economy and reduce reliance on oil revenue.
It is with grave concern that I write to draw your attention to the current state of the NEPC under the leadership of Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, who assumed office as Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer on 13 October 2023. While Mrs. Ayeni’s background in banking—spanning roles such as Managing Director of Signature Bank Plc, Deputy Managing Director at Funds and Electronic Transfer Solutions Limited (FETS), and General Manager at Zenith Bank Plc—demonstrates financial expertise, questions arise about the alignment of her leadership with NEPC’s core mandate and the broader Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Since Mrs. Ayeni’s appointment, credible reports and stakeholder concerns suggest a deviation from NEPC’s statutory objectives, which include promoting non-oil exports, providing technical assistance to exporters, facilitating market access, and conducting capacity-building programmes. Instead, the following issues have been noted:
Lack of Staff Welfare and Organisational Growth:
There have been no reported promotions or remuneration adjustments for NEPC staff, potentially demotivating personnel critical to the agency’s success.
Unsubstantiated Travel and Expenditure:
Allegations of frequent, undocumented travel without due process raise concerns about the prudent use of NEPC’s reported quarterly budget of ₦2 billion.
Partnership with Questionable Entities:
NEPC’s collaboration with organisations lacking export expertise, particularly those promoting e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Alibaba, and Shopify as primary export channels, appears misaligned with the needs of traditional exporters.
Specific Concerns Requiring Clarification
I respectfully pose the following questions to Mrs. Ayeni and urge her to provide clear, public responses—potentially via a reputable platform like Channels TV—to address these pressing issues:
Question 1: Are you aware that EASY SALES EXPORT NIGERIA LIMITED (RC: 7670167), a company registered on 9 July 2024 and claiming to have secured a $270 million trade deal under the Nigeria-Saudi Arabia agreement, is less than a year old? Official trade data indicates Nigeria’s total agro-export to Saudi Arabia in 2024 was under $500,000, casting doubt on this claim. Can you confirm NEPC’s role in validating this company’s activities?
Question 2: Are you aware that EASY SALES EXPORT NIGERIA LIMITED, with NEPC registration number 0035336, has no verifiable record of exporting even 10 containers to any country? Given its recent registration, how was it positioned to facilitate such a significant trade deal under NEPC’s oversight?
Question 3: Are you aware that RATED ROLLING RAB-WORLD NIG. LTD (RC: 763845), registered on 1 August 2008 and purportedly owned by the same individual behind *EASY SALES EXPORT NIGERIA LIMITED, lacks active registration with NEPC? How does NEPC justify endorsing an entity without proper credentials as an export consultant?
Question 4: A widely circulated video features an individual claiming, “President Tinubu gave me $270 million” in relation to the alleged Nigeria-Saudi Arabia trade deal, further asserting that President Tinubu directed NEPC to train Nigerians for export success. The video promotes a free NEPC webinar titled “Re-Energizing Webinar Series 5.0: E-Commerce as a Catalyst for Trade Facilitation” on 23 April 2025. Can you confirm whether President Tinubu issued such a directive, and is NEPC endorsing these claims? If so, please provide evidence beyond reasonable doubt to substantiate this narrative.
Question 5: Do you recognise the diversity of Nigeria’s exporter demographic, particularly the distinction between tech-savvy individuals and traditional exporters, such as an elderly farmer in Anambra with ₦300 million in capital or a trader in Kano unfamiliar with digital platforms like WhatsApp or Zoom? NEPC’s shift towards online training appears to exclude these critical stakeholders, who require in-person workshops and seminars to engage with global markets effectively. Why has NEPC prioritised virtual training over its traditional mandate of physical capacity-building?
Misalignment with NEPC’s Aims and Objectives
NEPC’s core objectives, as outlined in the Nigerian Export Promotion Council Decree No. 26 of 1976 and subsequent amendments, include:
Promoting the development and diversification of Nigeria’s export trade.
Assisting in the development of export-related industries.
Providing technical assistance in areas such as export procedures, documentation, financing, and marketing.
Organising training, trade fairs, and exhibitions to enhance exporter capacity.
However, under the current leadership, NEPC’s focus appears to have shifted towards online training and partnerships with entities promoting e-commerce, which may not address the practical needs of Nigeria’s diverse exporter base. For instance, over 30,000 companies registered with NEPC between 2020 and 2025 reportedly remain untrained due to the agency’s pivot to virtual platforms. This approach risks alienating traditional exporters, such as farmers and manufacturers, who rely on in-person guidance to navigate complex export processes.
Moreover, the emphasis on e-commerce platforms as a primary export strategy raises concerns about authenticity and sustainability. The claim that Nigerians can earn “$1,000 to $10,000 monthly” through such platforms, as promoted by certain NEPC-affiliated entities, lacks credible evidence and undermines the agency’s role in fostering legitimate, large-scale export ventures.
Challenges Facing Nigerian Exporters in 2025
Nigerian exporters face significant hurdles, including:
Export Rejects:
Non-compliance with international standards, such as sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, leads to frequent rejections of Nigerian goods, as noted in NEPC’s 2023 report.
Access to Finance:
Delayed Export Expansion Grants (EEGs), with over ₦60 billion owed to 39 exporters since 2009, hinder competitiveness.
Logistical Bottlenecks: Inefficient port operations and documentation processes impede timely exports.
Limited Market Access:
Insufficient trade agreements and certifications restrict entry into high-value markets.
NEPC’s current trajectory, with its focus on online training and questionable partnerships, does little to address these systemic challenges. Instead, it risks diverting resources from critical interventions, such as the STDF 845 project aimed at improving sesame and cowpea exports, which could tap into global markets valued at $7.67 billion and $7.60 billion, respectively, in 2025.
Call to Action
Export promotion is the cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic diversification and sustainable growth. A vibrant non-oil export sector can bolster foreign reserves, create jobs, and reduce pressure on the Naira, aligning with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. However, the current state of NEPC threatens this vision. I respectfully urge the following:
Presidential and Ministerial Intervention:
The Presidency and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment should conduct an urgent review of NEPC’s leadership, operations, and budget utilisation to ensure alignment with national priorities.
Investigation by Anti-Corruption Agencies:
The EFCC, ICPC, and Nigeria Police should probe the claims surrounding EASY SALES EXPORT NIGERIA LIMITED, RATED ROLLING RAB-WORLD NIG. LTD, and the alleged $270 million trade deal to verify their authenticity and NEPC’s involvement.
Consumer Protection Oversight:
The Consumer Protection Council should investigate the legitimacy of e-commerce training promotions linked to NEPC, which may mislead aspiring exporters with unrealistic promises.
Return to Core Mandates:
NEPC must prioritise in-person training, workshops, and seminars to reach diverse exporters, particularly in rural areas, and resume initiatives like the Export Skills Acquisition Centre (ESAC) launched in 2024.
Stakeholder Engagement:
Engage NACCIMA, exporters, and other professional bodies to co-design interventions that address practical challenges and enhance global competitiveness.
Conclusion
Nigeria stands at a critical juncture. With non-oil exports reaching $5.456 billion in 2024—a 20.77% increase from 2023—there is undeniable potential for growth. However, this progress risks being undermined by leadership missteps and misaligned priorities at NEPC. I call on all relevant authorities to act swiftly to restore NEPC’s integrity, realign its operations with its statutory mandate, and empower Nigerian exporters to drive sustainable economic growth.
Export is not merely a business; it is the lifeline of Nigeria’s economic future. Let us unite to ensure that NEPC serves as a catalyst for prosperity, not a barrier to progress.
Yours sincerely,
Kabiru Saje
For: Concerned Nigerian Citizen and Advocate for Economic Diversification
CC:
Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA)
Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)
Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN)
Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS)
Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)
Nigeria Customs Service
Federal Produce Inspection Service
Nigerian Shippers’ Council
International Media and Stakeholders
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