By Bassey Udo
The International Secretariat of the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) has congratulated the newly appointed Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Musa Sarkin Adar.
In a formal congratulatory message received from the global transparency body, the EITI Secretariat expressed confidence in NEITI’s capacity, reaffirming its readiness to deepen collaboration and provide technical support.
The message signed by the Deputy Head of the International Secretariat based in Oslo, Norway, Mr. Bady Balde, acknowledged Nigeria’s long-standing role within the EITI since 2003, highlighting NEITI’s pioneering contributions, including recovering unremitted revenues, driving evidence-based policy reforms and advancing beneficial ownership transparency.
These achievements, the Global EITI said, were noted as important milestones in strengthening transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s extractive sector.
“Nigeria has been an important implementing country within the EITI family. We congratulate the new Executive Secretary and stand ready to support NEITI as it prepares for Validation and advances transparency reforms that will strengthen revenue mobilisation and attract investment,” the EITI said.
The EITI International Secretariat also referenced the EITI Board’s November 2023 assessment, which awarded Nigeria an overall score of 72 points out of 100 points and reiterated NEITI’s new leadership which it says arrives at a critical moment.
With Nigeria’s next Validation scheduled for July 2026 to assess adherence to the 2023 EITI Standard, the EITI International Secretariat underlined expectations for impactful ad result–oriented implementation of the Initiative in Nigeria.
“I am aware that there is an expectation for NEITI to actively support government priorities on revenue mobilisation, attracting investment, and informing government strategies on economic diversification, particularly regarding the development of solid minerals.
The International Secretariat stands ready to support you in navigating these priorities”, Mr. Balde said.
The Executive Secretary of NEITI, Musa Sarkin Adar, reaffirmed NEITI’s readiness to work very closely with the EITI International Secretariat, government partners, civil society, and industry stakeholders to sustain the momentum on transparency reforms and ensure that the upcoming Validation of Nigeria as well as policy initiatives delivered tangible benefits for Nigerians.
The EITI is the global standard that promotes open and accountable management of oil, gas and mineral resources through multi-stakeholder collaboration in resource – rich countries, while NEITI is the national implementing body for the global EITI in Nigeria with the mandate to promote transparency and accountability in the management of the country’s extractive resources.
