The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to positioning Nigeria as a global leader in extractive sector transparency by deepening reforms, strengthening accountability and ensuring effective implementation of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, made the pledge on Monday in Abuja while declaring open a joint retreat of the National Stakeholders’ Working Group (NSWG) and the senior management team of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).
The three-day retreat, themed “Strengthening EITI Implementation: From Extractive Sector Reporting to Impact,” is being held in preparation for Nigeria’s 2026 EITI Validation Exercise.
Akume, who also chairs the NSWG, said the validation exercise, which began on July 1, provides Nigeria with an opportunity to assess its progress, address outstanding corrective actions and reinforce governance in the extractive sector.
According to him, the success of EITI implementation should not be measured solely by the number of reports published but by the extent to which transparency strengthens institutions, boosts investor confidence, restores public trust and drives sustainable national development.
“The real measure of success is the extent to which transparency strengthens our institutions, builds investor confidence and restores public trust in how we manage our resources, while supporting sustainable national development for the benefit of citizens,” Akume said.
He noted that the 2023 EITI Standard places greater emphasis on systematic disclosures, beneficial ownership, contract transparency, state-owned enterprises, anti-corruption measures, environmental reporting, energy transition and stakeholder participation.
The SGF said these priorities align with the Federal Government’s reform agenda and reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to implementing international transparency standards effectively.
Describing the validation exercise as a critical tool for strengthening governance and public confidence, Akume said President Bola Tinubu remained committed to providing the leadership needed to ensure its success.
He commended NEITI for submitting the required documentation to the EITI Secretariat and for its ongoing engagement with stakeholders ahead of the visit of the EITI International Validation Team.
Akume urged members of the NSWG and NEITI management to deepen collaboration, review progress and develop innovative strategies that would position NEITI as a leading institution in extractive sector governance.
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“I am confident that together, we will continue to position Nigeria as a global leader in extractive sector transparency. Let us reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that transparency translates into lasting reforms and sustainable development for all Nigerians,” he added.
Earlier, NEITI Executive Secretary, Mr. Musa Adar, described the retreat as timely, noting that Nigeria had officially commenced the 2026 EITI Validation Exercise.
He said that although NEITI had spent the past two decades promoting transparency through independent industry reports, the focus had now shifted from producing reports to delivering measurable impact.
According to Adar, the global EITI framework now places greater emphasis on how transparency influences public policy, strengthens institutions, improves revenue governance and promotes accountability.
He said the validation exercise would enable Nigeria not only to demonstrate compliance with EITI standards but also to evaluate how effectively reforms had been institutionalised, corrective actions implemented and governance strengthened across the extractive sector.
Adar noted that recent consultations with government agencies, extractive companies, civil society organisations and the media reflected strong support for the validation process, although improved coordination and implementation of recommendations remained necessary.
He urged participants to use the retreat to assess the impact of NEITI’s work beyond report publication, strengthen institutional collaboration and develop practical strategies for implementing audit recommendations and validation corrective actions.
The NEITI boss also called for innovative measures to improve data accessibility, policy engagement and institutional effectiveness, stressing that transparency must ultimately result in stronger governance, prudent resource management and sustainable national development.
