Global EITI Assessors Arrive Nigeria for 2026 Validation Exercise

Assessors from the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) have arrived in Nigeria to begin the 2026 validation exercise, a critical process for evaluating the nation's adherence to transparency and accountability standards in its oil, gas, and mining sectors. This mission marks a significant stage in Nigeria's ongoing efforts to demonstrate its commitment to good governance in resource management.

The EITI Mission, which commenced on August 10, 2026, will involve comprehensive quality assurance assessments and extensive consultations. Assessors are scheduled to meet with a wide array of stakeholders, including government institutions, the National Assembly, extractive companies, civil society organizations, development partners, anti-corruption agencies, host communities, and the media. These dialogues are designed to gather diverse perspectives on Nigeria's implementation of the EITI Standard and its progress on reforms within the extractive sector.

Musa Adar, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), highlighted the validation process as a crucial opportunity. He stated that Nigeria remains steadfast in its commitment to the EITI principles and views the validation as a chance to not only review progress but also to pinpoint areas needing further reform to enhance governance. NEITI, in collaboration with the National Stakeholders’ Working Group and other partners, has completed extensive preparations, including submitting required documentation and conducting targeted stakeholder engagements in line with the 2023 EITI Standard.

This validation follows Nigeria's fourth exercise in January 2023, where it achieved a moderate score of 72 points under the 2019 EITI Standard. The current exercise will assess the country's performance against the updated 2023 Standard, aiming for improved transparency and accountability in the management of its vital extractive resources.

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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.