By Michael Oche
Civil society organisations working in Nigeria’s extractive sector have called on the newly appointed Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar, to deepen ongoing reforms and sustain the momentum built under his predecessor, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji.
The call was made in a joint statement issued by the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), Koyenum Immalah Foundation (KIF) and Women in Extractives (WIE), welcoming Sarkin Adar, who assumed office on November 25, 2025, as the new helmsman of the transparency agency.
The groups also commended Dr. Orji, who concluded his five-year single tenure as provided in the NEITI Act 2007, describing his leadership as transformational and pivotal to Nigeria’s improved standing within the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) community.
According to the statement signed by CTA’s Executive Director, Faith Nwadishi, Dr. Orji’s tenure strengthened transparency and accountability across Nigeria’s oil, gas and mining sectors through robust multi-stakeholder engagement, expanded EITI reporting, and disclosures that aligned NEITI with the 2023 EITI Standard.
The CSOs highlighted key milestones including improved public trust, enhanced global perception of Nigeria’s compliance with EITI requirements, and the successful relocation of the NEITI Secretariat to its permanent site to boost operational efficiency.
They noted, however, that some critical areas still require consolidation, such as systematic disclosure, beneficial ownership transparency, contract disclosure and stronger implementation of NEITI report recommendations.
The organisations welcomed Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar’s appointment, noting that his extensive legislative experience, particularly as former Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), places him in a strong position to advance NEITI’s reforms.
They expressed optimism over his early commitment to champion the long-awaited review of the NEITI Act 2007.
Updating the Act, they said, is essential to align Nigeria’s legal framework with evolving EITI Standards, including new requirements on energy transition, environmental safeguards, contract disclosure, gender, and anti-corruption.
The groups also urged the new Executive Secretary working closely with the National Stakeholders Working Group (NSWG), to fast-track the review of the Minerals and Mining Act 2007, ensure full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, and strengthen mechanisms that ensure NEITI recommendations translate into tangible reforms.
Nwadishi, who is a former member of both the NEITI and global EITI Board, said the leadership transition comes at a crucial period as Nigeria prepares for its next EITI Validation.
“This transition offers Nigeria an opportunity to deepen transparency and strengthen accountability in the extractive sector. I commend Dr. Orji for his leadership and welcome Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar, whose experience and commitment to reform come at a critical moment,” she said.
She stressed the need for all stakeholders, government agencies, the National Assembly, civil society, industry players and development partners to ensure outstanding recommendations and corrective actions from the last validation cycle are fully addressed.
CTA, KIF and WIE reaffirmed their commitment to supporting NEITI’s mandate and called for renewed collaboration to consolidate reforms that ensure Nigeria’s natural resources benefit all citizens.
