By Obiabin Onukwugha
Civil Society Representative on the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) Board, Dr Erisa Danladi, has stated that independent and effective civil society participation remains fundamental to the credibility and success of the EITI process, both in Nigeria and globally.
Dr. Danladi stated this on Wednesday, while delivering a speech at the NEITI Civil Society and Media Engagement ahead of the Nigeria’s 2026 EITI Validation scheduled to hold in July.
Dr Erisa, who is also the National Coordinator of the Resource Justice Network (RJN), revealed that the engagement presents an important opportunity for reflection, learning and renewed commitment.
She highlighted that beyond assessing Nigeria’s compliance with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Standard, “the validation process enables us to take stock of our collective achievements, identify existing gaps, and explore practical ways of strengthening transparency, accountability and good governance within Nigeria’s extractive sector.”
“As representatives of civil society on the NEITI NSWG, we firmly believe that meaningful, independent and effective civil society participation remains fundamental to the credibility and success of the EITI process, both in Nigeria and globally. – she said.
Dr. Danladi stressed that the EITI Standard recognizes that civil society must be able to participate fully, actively and effectively in all aspects of the EITI process without fear, intimidation, coercion or undue restrictions.
She also maintained that over the years, Nigeria has recorded significant progress in implementing the EITI Standard. “Through NEITI, the country has continued to produce credible reports, advance beneficial ownership disclosures, promote contract transparency, and facilitate broad stakeholder engagement across the extractive sector,” she said.
She highlighted that CSOs through research, advocacy, public awareness campaigns, community engagements, policy dialogues and the dissemination of NEITI reports, CSOs have played a critical role in ensuring that extractive sector information reaches citizens and inform public discourse
Dr Danladi emphasised that CSOs have also consistently monitored the implementation of NEITI recommendations and advocated reforms on issues such as beneficial ownership transparency, environmental justice, energy transition, community rights and broader extractive sector governance.
“As we undergo this Validation exercise, it is important that we engage openly and honestly. Validation should not be seen merely as a compliance exercise or a scorecard. Rather, it should serve as a continuous learning and improvement process aimed at strengthening governance systems and delivering better outcomes for citizens”. Dr Danladi added.
