By Abdullahi Lukman
The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji,
has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s oil, gas, and mining revenues are managed transparently for the benefit of all citizens.
Speaking at a newsbriefing in Abuja, Orji outlined NEITI’s plans to deepen beneficial ownership disclosures, improve revenue tracking, and ensure full implementation of extractive sector governance reforms.
Orji emphasized the importance of exposing hidden ownership structures to combat corruption, stating that NEITI would collaborate with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to obtain updated beneficial ownership data and disclose companies acquiring divested assets.
He called for greater collaboration across sectors to achieve transparency, urging the media, stakeholders, and the Nigerian public to remain vigilant and demand accountability.
“Transparency is not just a policy; it is a responsibility,” Orji remarked, highlighting that NEITI’s role in managing Nigeria’s extractive revenues is vital for the public good.
He emphasized that this mission requires the collective effort of all parties, including the press, civil society organizations, and citizens.
Orji also addressed the challenges NEITI inherited upon assuming office, including a lack of a functional National Stakeholders Working Group (NSWG), financial constraints, and a decline in public confidence.
He noted that the global extractive industry was rapidly evolving, particularly with issues like energy transition, beneficial ownership transparency, and contract disclosure reshaping the sector.
In response, NEITI has taken deliberate steps to reposition itself as a stronger, more independent institution.
Under Orji’s leadership, NEITI has improved the quality, scope, and timeliness of its industry reports, including beneficial ownership and contract transparency.
The agency has also revitalized its partnerships with oil, gas, and mining companies by reconstituting the NEITI-Companies Forum and strengthening engagement with civil society groups to empower citizens in holding the sector accountable.
As part of its broader strategy, NEITI has developed a Five-Year Strategic Plan (2022–2026) with support from DFID-FOSTER.
Orji noted that a review of the plan would be essential as it nears completion in 2026 to ensure its relevance and continuity.
Additionally, NEITI launched the NEITI Data Centre Project, which centralizes and automates extractive sector data, ensuring open access and transparency in line with the EITI 2023 standards.
The reconstitution of the Inter-Ministerial Task Team (IMTT) in May 2024 has further strengthened decision-making and policy implementation within the agency.
