EITI validation assessors arrive in Nigeria for review
By Barbara Nwaiwu
The Global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) validation team has arrived in Nigeria to assess the country’s progress in strengthening transparency and accountability in its oil, gas and mining sectors.
The validation mission, which begins on Monday, is part of the 2026 EITI Validation Exercise that commenced on July 1st.
The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) announced the arrival of the assessors in a statement issued on Sunday by its Director of Communications and Stakeholders Management, Obiageli Onuorah.
NEITI said the mission will involve a comprehensive quality assurance assessment and consultations with stakeholders across Nigeria’s extractive industries.
“During the mission, which commences August 10th, the Validation Assessors will undertake a comprehensive quality assurance assessment and hold consultations with key stakeholders”
The consultations will involve government institutions, the National Assembly, oil, gas and mining companies, civil society organisations, development partners, anti-corruption agencies, host communities and the media.
The assessors are also expected to meet senior government officials and institutions responsible for the management and oversight of Nigeria’s extractive resources, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the NEITI Board, Senator George Akume; members of the NEITI National Stakeholders Working Group; the Ministers of Finance and Budget and Economic Planning; the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited; NEITI’s Inter-Ministerial Task Team; and relevant committees of the National Assembly.
The consultations are intended to provide the assessors with different perspectives on Nigeria’s implementation of the EITI Standard, ongoing reforms and challenges within the extractive sector.
NEITI Executive Secretary, Musa Sarkin Adar, described the validation as an opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate its commitment to transparency and accountability in the management of its natural resources.
“Nigeria remains firmly committed to the principles of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. We regard the Validation process as an opportunity not only to assess the progress we have made, but also to highlight areas where further reforms can enhance extractive sector governance”.
Adar said NEITI had worked with the National Stakeholders Working Group and other stakeholders to prepare for the assessment, including submitting Nigeria’s validation documentation and conducting targeted stakeholder engagements in line with the requirements of the 2023 EITI Standard.
He expressed confidence that the exercise would strengthen Nigeria’s partnership with the global EITI and reinforce its commitment to transparency, accountability and prudent management of its natural resources.
The validation is an independent quality assurance mechanism used to assess how implementing countries comply with the EITI Standard and to identify areas requiring further improvement.
Nigeria underwent its fourth EITI validation in January 2023 under the 2019 EITI Standard and received an overall score of 72 points, with specific corrective actions identified for the country to address before its next assessment.
The 2026 validation will therefore assess the progress made since the 2023 exercise, including efforts to address the identified corrective actions and strengthen extractive sector governance.
The Federal Government had earlier expressed confidence that Nigeria would successfully complete the 2026 validation, with Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the EITI National Stakeholders Working Group, Senator George Akume, describing the exercise as an opportunity to demonstrate progress in transparency, accountability and governance.
Nigeria became an EITI implementing country in 2004 and enacted the NEITI Act in 2007, establishing the statutory framework for promoting transparency and accountability in the management of its extractive industries.
The 2026 validation mission is expected to conclude on August 14, after which its findings will provide an external assessment of Nigeria’s implementation of the EITI Standard and progress in strengthening governance across the oil, gas and mining sectors.
