FG Urges Stakeholders to Enhance EITI Validation in Nigeria

The Federal Government of Nigeria has called on stakeholders in the extractive industry to utilize the 2026 Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Validation Exercise as a means to enhance transparency, accountability, and governance reforms. Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the National Stakeholders’ Working Group, made this statement during the opening of a three-day Joint Strategic Retreat in Abuja.

The retreat, themed “Strengthening EITI Implementation from Extractive Sector Reporting to Impact,” is part of the preparations for Nigeria’s upcoming EITI Validation Exercise. Akume urged stakeholders to view the validation as a strategic opportunity to deepen transparency and strengthen governance for sustainable national development.

He commended the efforts of the National Stakeholders’ Working Group and the NEITI Secretariat in advancing transparency. Akume stressed that the success of EITI implementation should focus on the impact of transparency on governance and development, rather than just the volume of reports produced.

He noted that the 2023 EITI Standard emphasizes systematic disclosures and stakeholder participation, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.