The Federal Government has charged stakeholders in Nigeria’s extractive sector to leverage the ongoing 2026 Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Validation Exercise as a strategic opportunity to deepen transparency, strengthen accountability, and entrench good governance for sustainable national development.
The charge was given by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the National Stakeholders’ Working Group (NSWG), Senator George Akume, CON, while declaring open a three-day Joint Strategic Retreat for members of the NSWG and the Senior Management Team of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) in Abuja on Monday.
The retreat, themed “Strengthening EITI Implementation from Extractive Sector Reporting to Impact,” forms part of Nigeria’s preparations for the EITI International Validation Exercise.
Senator Akume stated that the validation should go beyond mere compliance and serve as a platform for institutional reforms that enhance public trust, attract investment, and ensure the sustainable management of the nation’s natural resources.
“I commend the significant work already undertaken by NEITI, particularly in making the submission to EITI and the various ongoing strategic engagements with stakeholders in preparation for the forthcoming visit of the EITI International Validation Team. These efforts demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to an inclusive, transparent and credible Validation process,” the SGF said.
He stressed that the success of EITI implementation should not be measured merely by the number of reports produced or the volume of information disclosed, but by the extent to which transparency strengthens public institutions, enhances investor confidence, restores public trust in resource governance, and contributes to sustainable national development.
Senator Akume 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 meaningful stakeholder participation. He observed that these priorities align with the Renewed Hope Reform Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, reaffirming Nigeria’s full commitment to their implementation.
Describing the forthcoming Validation Exercise as a critical milestone, the SGF said it provides Nigeria with an important platform to demonstrate progress in strengthening governance within the extractive sector, address previous corrective actions, and institutionalise reforms that promote accountability and transparency.
He reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to providing the strategic leadership and coordination required to ensure the successful implementation of the EITI across relevant government institutions, emphasising that the Validation process remains a vital mechanism for strengthening public confidence in the management of Nigeria’s oil, gas, and mining resources.
Senator Akume urged participants at the retreat to review existing achievements, deepen collaboration, address outstanding priorities, and develop practical strategies that would not only guarantee a successful validation outcome but also drive long-term governance reforms in the extractive sector.