sudo doesn't accept shell expressions as commands. Just simple commands. You can invoque the shell explicitly though: 
sudo -u nonrootuser /bin/sh -c 'cd /directory; ./exec.sh'

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In reply to Re^7: Problem using Net::OpenSSH->capture to su to another user by salva
in thread Problem using Net::OpenSSH->capture to su to another user by tim.culhane

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