FG Recovered $3bn Through NEITI Reports, Says Orji
The outgoing Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) Dr Ogbonnaya Orji, on Thursday formally handed over the reins of the transparency watchdog to Musa Sarkin Adar.
At the event in Abuja, Orji declared that his five-year tenure delivered “concrete fiscal impact”, including the recovery of over $3bn for the Federal Government and the identification of more than $6bn in outstanding revenues and liabilities.
At an emotional handover ceremony held at the NEITI House in Abuja, Orji said the achievements were the product of evidence-based disclosures, strengthened governance, and reforms implemented under two administrations.
“We strengthened NEITI’s administrative structure by expanding directorates from five to eight, improving efficiency, deepening technical capacity, and aligning the Secretariat with evolving global standards. Operational capability improved significantly with the acquisition of new vehicles, ICT tools, digital reporting infrastructure, and communication systems, enhancing mobility, productivity, and national presence.
“Through our public disclosures, we delivered a concrete fiscal impact. Through evidence-based reporting, over $3bn was recovered for the Federal Government, and more than $6bn in outstanding revenues and liabilities was identified. These achievements strengthened domestic resource mobilisation and fiscal transparency,” he said.
Orji, who assumed office in February 2021 at a time he described as “a convergence of operational and institutional crises”, recounted inheriting a vacant NEITI board, fractured stakeholder relations, inadequate infrastructure, and low staff morale.
He noted that, barely 24 hours after taking office, he promised to secure a permanent building for the agency, reconstitute the NEITI board, expand the scope of reports, recruit young professionals, and push for an amendment to the NEITI Act.
“Today, I leave the office grateful that we delivered all these priorities, exceeding many, except for the full amendment of the NEITI Act. However, extensive groundwork has been completed for that reform,” he added.
One of the most symbolic achievements, he said, was the acquisition of the agency’s first permanent headquarters, currently valued at over N4bn. He also highlighted improvements in NEITI’s administrative structure, including the expansion of directorates from five to eight, the acquisition of new operational vehicles, improved digital tools, and a more functional reporting infrastructure.
Orji identified several priorities for the new Executive Secretary, among them are “Deployment of the NEITI Data Centre, deepening implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, stronger oversight of the solid minerals sector, early preparation for Nigeria’s 2026 EITI Validation, sustained remediation work with the EFCC, ICPC, NFIU, and TETFund, and strengthened communication and national outreach.”
He also urged the Federal Government to amend the NEITI Act 2007 to align with the PIA and the updated EITI 2023 Standard, stressing the need for predictable funding for the agency.
The outgoing NEITI boss used his parting message to deliver reflective advice drawn from four decades in public service, urging staff to remain loyal to leadership and avoid vindictiveness. “Leadership ends, but character remains. Your boss, whether in service or after office, is part of your CV and sometimes part of your children’s lives,” he cautioned.
Orji also expressed gratitude to late former President Muhammadu Buhari, who appointed him, and President Bola Tinubu, who retained him, for what he described as “one of the greatest honours” of his public service career. He also acknowledged his predecessors, Mrs Zainab Ahmed and Mr Waziri Adio, for their mentorship.
On his part, the new Executive Secretary assured to strengthen the agency’s legal mandate, deepen institutional reforms and lead with “honesty, fairness and the fear of God.” Adar told staff that his leadership would be anchored on merit, transparency and inclusiveness rather than ethnic, religious or gender considerations.
Earlier, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the NEITI National Stakeholders Working Group, Senator George Akume, praised the outgoing ES for what he described as “exemplary and transformative leadership.”
Akume, represented at the event by the Director of Legal Services, Kamilatu Kida, said Orji’s five-year tenure delivered notable achievements that elevated NEITI’s reputation globally.