In a formal letter addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), transparency advocates have raised concerns regarding the operations of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) Secretariat under the leadership of Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji.
The letter, signed by Comrade Taiwo Otitolaye, National Coordinator of Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Nigeria, and Adebayo Titus, Program Officer of Community Outreach for Development and Welfare Advocacy (CODWA), emphasizes the urgent need for an independent and comprehensive probe into the NEITI Secretariat’s activities.
The advocates highlight the recent 2023 EITI Validation exercise, which revealed Nigeria’s decline from a leading country in 2019 to a struggling state in terms of transparency and accountability.
With the 2026 Re-evaluation looming, Nigeria faces the risk of suspension or expulsion from the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) if remedial actions are not promptly taken.
Citing specific recommendations from the global EITI Validation Report, the advocates stress the necessity for consistent oversight of the NEITI Secretariat, particularly in financial management and recruitment practices.
Allegations of financial misconduct, procurement irregularities, internal audit deficiencies, misallocation of funds, and secretive recruitment processes have prompted calls for a thorough investigation.
The SGF is urged to take immediate action to address these concerns and uphold transparency and accountability within the NEITI Secretariat. As a crucial watchdog in the extractive industries, NEITI is expected to exemplify integrity and serve as a beacon of transparency.
The letter concludes with a plea for urgent attention to the matter, accompanied by the advocates’ highest regards and best wishes.