The outgoing Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, on Thursday handed over leadership of the agency to Musa Sarkin Adar, declaring that his five-year tenure delivered major fiscal and institutional reforms, including the recovery of over $3bn for the Federal Government.
Speaking at the handover ceremony held at NEITI House, Abuja, Orji said the agency also identified more than $6bn in outstanding revenues and liabilities through evidence-based disclosures, contributing significantly to domestic resource mobilisation and transparency in the extractive sector.
Orji said NEITI’s achievements under his leadership were made possible through strengthened governance systems and improved operational efficiency. He highlighted the expansion of NEITI’s directorates from five to eight, the acquisition of new vehicles, ICT tools and digital reporting systems, and enhanced technical capacity across the agency.
He added that NEITI secured its first permanent headquarters, valued at over N4bn, and completed its Data Centre infrastructure, which he described as “one of the most transformative legacies.” The centre will allow near real-time monitoring of revenue flows, contract transparency, host community funding and emissions reporting.
He also noted that staff morale improved significantly following an upward salary review of over 100 per cent in January 2025.
Reflecting on his tenure since February 2021, Orji said he assumed office during what he called a “convergence of operational and institutional crises,” including a vacant board, weak infrastructure and low staff morale. He said all commitments made on his first day—securing a permanent office, reconstituting the board, expanding reporting, and recruiting young professionals—were fulfilled, except for the full amendment of the NEITI Act.
Under his watch, Nigeria maintained full compliance with global EITI reporting standards, scoring 92/100 in Outcomes and Impact and 90/100 in Transparency during the 2023 Validation.
In his response, newly appointed Executive Secretary Musa Sarkin Adar pledged to strengthen NEITI’s legal mandate, deepen reforms and lead with “honesty, fairness and the fear of God.” He stressed that competence—not ethnicity, religion or gender—would guide appointments and internal processes.
Adar, a former federal lawmaker and career civil servant, said a key priority would be amending the NEITI Act, which he argued currently lacks the “teeth to bite” in a sector dominated by powerful interests. He also promised a detailed administrative blueprint within two weeks and assured staff of broad inclusion.
He acknowledged NEITI’s major funding constraints but vowed to pursue resources aggressively while prioritising staff training and capacity development.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of NEITI’s National Stakeholders Working Group, Senator George Akume, praised Orji’s “exemplary and transformative leadership,” noting milestones such as the permanent office acquisition, strengthened disclosures and expanded reporting.
Akume, represented by Director of Legal Services Kamilatu Mustapha Kida, said President Bola Tinubu had approved Orji’s terminal leave and expressed the government’s gratitude for his service.
He assured full federal support for Adar, describing him as a leader with the experience and capacity to advance ongoing reforms.
Although stepping down after nearly two decades in the agency, Orji said he was not leaving NEITI completely.
“This is not a farewell,” he said. “It is the completion of one phase of service and the beginning of another—to God, to humanity, to community and to country.”
He pledged to continue supporting NEITI and his successor “whenever called upon.”
