Global EITI Validation Assessors Arrive Nigeria for 2026 Validation – NEITI

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has announced the arrival of the Global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Validation Assessors, as part of the ongoing 2026 EITI Validation which commenced July 1.
The Executive Secretary of NEITI, Musa Adar, announced the arrival of the Validation Mission on Sunday in a statement by its Director, Communications and Stakeholders Management, Mrs Obiageli Onuora.
The presence of The EITI Mission in Nigeria marks a significant stage in Nigeria’s 2026 EITI Validation and forms part of the global EITI Validation process.
Validation is an independent quality assurance mechanism that assesses implementing countries’ compliance with the 2023 EITI Standard.
The exercise evaluates progress made in strengthening transparency, accountability and good governance in the management of oil, gas and mining resources, while identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
During the EITI mission which commences Aug. 10, the Validation Assessors will undertake a comprehensive quality assurance assessment and hold consultations with key stakeholders.
These include government institutions, the National Assembly, extractive companies, civil society organisations, development partners, anti-corruption agencies, host communities, the media and other stakeholders.
The consultations are designed to provide the Assessors with diverse perspectives on Nigeria’s implementation of the EITI Standard and ongoing reforms in the extractive sector.
Adar described the validation mission as an important opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the governance of its extractive industries.
“Nigeria remains firmly committed to the principles of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.
“We regard the Validation process as an opportunity not only to assess the progress we have made, but also to highlight areas where further reforms can enhance extractive sector governance,” he said.
He said that NEITI, while working in collaboration with the National Stakeholders’ Working Group (NSWG) and other stakeholders, had concluded extensive preparations for the exercise.
These, he said, included the submission of Nigeria’s Validation documentation and targeted stakeholder engagements in line with the requirements of the 2023 EITI Standard.
Adar expressed confidence that the mission would further strengthen Nigeria’s partnership with the global EITI and reaffirm the country’s commitment to promoting transparency, accountability and prudent management of its natural resources.
The Assessors will be meeting with Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chair of NEITI NSWG, Ministers of Finance and Budget and Economic Planning, the Group CEO, NNPC Ltd., NEITI’s IMTT, and the Senate Committee on Public Account, among others.
The 2026 EITI Validation is an opportunity to demonstrate the progress Nigeria has made in strengthening extractive sector governance.
It will address previous corrective actions and institutionalise reforms that promote transparency and accountability.
It will be recalled that in Jan. 2023, Nigeria underwent its fourth validation exercise under the 2019 EITI Standard.
Based on the validation report, Nigeria achieved a moderate overall score of 72 points in implementing the EITI and identified specific corrective actions which she, through NEITI, needs to address before the next assessment which commenced in July.
Nigeria became an implementing country of the EITI in 2004, enacted the NEITI Act in 2007 and has remained one of Africa’s leading implementing countries.
Through NEITI, the country continues to advance reforms that promote openness, strengthen public oversight and improve governance across the extractive industries.
The Mission is expected to end in Aug. 14.