Nigeria’s extractive sector transparency efforts received strong endorsement last week as the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Validation Mission wrapped up a five-day-in-country assessment, praising the country’s improved systematic disclosures and robust stakeholder engagement across government, industry, and civil society.
The Mission -comprising Mission Leader, Mr. Riley Zecca, Ms. Jessica Sanchez, and African Country Director, Mr. Gilbert Makore, delivered its commendations during a debriefing with the Senior Management Team of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), citing real-time data disclosures and high-level consultations, including an executive session with the National Assembly and a public hearing on NEITI’s industry reports, as standout achievements of the 2026 Validation Exercise.
Zecca praised the depth of stakeholder input and encouraged Nigeria to institutionalise its disclosure practices to sustain real-time transparency and reinforce trust. He noted that consistent reporting had given the Mission confidence in assessing the country’s progress.
A draft validation report will go to the NEITI Board within three weeks, he said, with Nigeria given a month to respond before a final report is presented at the EITI global conference in Brussels this October.
Makore, meanwhile, urged Nigeria to view the validation process constructively, calling it central to EITI implementation. He singled out the National Assembly’s involvement as especially notable, pointing to the executive session and public hearing, where companies and government agencies both appeared, as evidence of Nigeria’s commitment to inclusive dialogue.
NEITI Executive Secretary, Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar, called the mission conclusion a major milestone, framing the exercise as more than a compliance exercise -an opportunity to assess achievements, confront challenges, and push forward reforms in natural resource governance.
According to a statement on Sunday by the Director, Communications & Stakeholders Management, Obiageli Onuorah, the NEITI boss pledged continued collaboration with government bodies, companies, civil society, and host communities to ensure validation outcomes lead to lasting reform.
During its visit, the Mission met with several senior officials, including Secretary to the Government of the Federation and NEITI Board Chair, Senator George Akume, Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite and NNPC Group CEO, Engr. Bayo Ojulari.
Assessors also engaged the National Assembly committees under Senate Public Account Committee Chairman, Senator Ibrahim Dankwanbo, along with anti-corruption bodies such as the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, EFCC, ICPC, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and the National Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reforms.
Discussions with NNPC Limited centred on the company’s role as an EITI supporting company, its anti-corruption policies, disclosure practices, contract transparency, and commodity trading transparency. Civil society consultations drew representatives from the NEITI Civil Society Steering Committee, the Civil Society Strategic Tink Tank, the Civil Society Selection Committee, and host communities from Rivers and Zamfara States.
The 2026 Validation Exercise began July 1, following Nigeria’s submission of validation templates on transparency, stakeholder engagement, and outcomes. In-country consultations ran from August 10-14, giving NEITI actionable insights for deepening EITI implementation going forward.
