By Juliet Usman , Abuja
The Federal Government has expressed confidence that Nigeria will successfully pass the 2026 validation exercise of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), saying sustained reforms in transparency, accountability and governance have strengthened the country’s standing in the global extractive sector.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the National Stakeholders Working Group (NSWG), Senator George Akume, stated this on Monday while declaring open a three-day joint strategic retreat of the NSWG and the senior management of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) in Abuja.
The retreat, themed “Strengthening EITI Implementation: From Extractive Sector Reporting to Impact,” comes as Nigeria prepares for the international validation process, which commenced on July 1, with EITI assessors expected in the country next month.
Akume described the exercise as a critical opportunity for Nigeria to showcase reforms in the governance of its oil, gas and mining sectors, while demonstrating progress in implementing previous corrective actions.
He said the validation would also reinforce public confidence, improve governance standards and attract more investment into the nation’s extractive industries.
“The President of Nigeria is committed to providing the needed strategic leadership and coordination required to support the successful implementation of the EITI across government institutions,” Akume said.
The SGF stressed that the success of EITI implementation should not be judged merely by the number of reports produced but by its impact on governance, public trust and national development.
“Success should not be measured by the number of reports produced or data disclosed, but by the extent to which transparency strengthens institutions, restores public trust, builds investor confidence and supports sustainable national development,” he said.
According to him, 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—all of which align with the Federal Government’s ongoing reform agenda.
Akume commended NEITI for submitting Nigeria’s validation documents ahead of schedule and engaging relevant stakeholders in preparation for the visit of the international validation team, expressing optimism that Nigeria would maintain its reputation as a global leader in extractive sector transparency.
Earlier, NEITI Executive Secretary, Hon. Musa Adar, described the 2026 validation as a defining moment in Nigeria’s two-decade implementation of the global transparency initiative.
He noted that while NEITI had earned international recognition through independent audits of Nigeria’s oil, gas and mining sectors, the global focus had shifted from publishing reports to demonstrating measurable impact.
“The emphasis is now on how disclosures influence public policy, strengthen institutions, improve revenue governance and deliver value to citizens,” Adar said.
He explained that the validation would assess not only Nigeria’s compliance with EITI standards but also how effectively transparency reforms had been institutionalised and previous recommendations implemented.
Adar disclosed that consultations with government agencies, extractive companies, civil society organisations and the media had revealed strong commitment to the exercise, although improvements were still needed in documentation, coordination and implementation.
“As we prepare to receive the EITI International Validation Assessors in August, this retreat provides us with an opportunity to align our priorities,” he said.
He urged participants to develop practical strategies for implementing audit recommendations, strengthening collaboration between the NSWG and NEITI management, improving data accessibility and policy engagement, and ensuring that transparency translates into stronger governance, prudent resource management and sustainable national development.
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