RoLAC is supporting the Nigeria government to enhance transparency in the extractive industries

The event was organised by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC II) Programme in Nigeria, which the European Union funds. The retreat aimed to ensure that the newly appointed board members understood their roles and responsibilities in promoting transparency and accountability in Nigeria's extractive industries.

The theme for the retreat was "From Accountability to Results Built on Impact." The event was attended by key stakeholders, including representatives from the government, extractive companies, and civil society organisations. In his welcome address, NEITI's Executive Secretary, Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, emphasised the importance of the Board's role in navigating Nigeria's transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, given the global shift in energy demand. 

"Mr Chairman, fellow members of the Board, the global transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources poses significant risks to countries that depend heavily on hydrocarbon-based natural resource revenues for survival. Our country, Nigeria, is heavily dependent on oil revenues for survival. It is within the ambit of this Board to support our government and citizens with timely policy decisions and strategies to deal with this unavoidable unfolding development in the extractive sector".

In his opening remark, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of NEITI National Stakeholders Working Group, Senator George Akume, who was represented by the Alternate Chairman of the NEITI Board, Ambassador Matthew Sunday Adoli, stressed the importance of NEITI's work in ensuring accurate revenue collection from the extractive sector, which is crucial for meeting the government's obligations to its citizens. 

"Let me repeat that the specific role of the NEITI Board is to support policy decisions to institutionalise transparency and accountability mechanisms in Nigeria's extractive sector for the benefit of all. We must, therefore, help to build a NEITI process that provides accurate, adequate and timely information and data to guide this Administration's policy-making choices in the oil, gas and mining sectors".

Highlights of the retreat were technical sessions and discussions by participants on NEITI's 5-year Strategic Plan (2022-2026), the NEITI Act 2007, and the challenges facing Nigeria's extractive sector with a view to providing a roadmap for the actualisation of the mandate of the organisation. The retreat also outlined strategies to implement reforms aimed at improving governance, combating oil theft, and ensuring efficient resource management, some of which include advocacy for the implementation of remedial actions from NEITI audit reports, and driving citizens' engagement at grassroots levels through the NEITI Civil Society Steering committee.

The retreat concluded with a closing address from the Alternate Chairman, Amb. Sunday Adoli, on behalf of the NSWG Chairman, disclosed that the Board will get to work immediately, giving itself a timeframe for actualising set targets using regulations where necessary. He promised that the 6th NSWG would leave a legacy behind by embarking on far-reaching reforms. He expressed confidence that the government will accept and approve reform proposals where the objectives are aimed at the good of the nation. The alternate chairman and the ES of NEITI were very appreciative of the support from RoLAC/International IDEA and the European Union.