Era of secrecy in natural resource governance over: NEITI boss

The executive secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, has declared that secrecy in Nigeria’s resource governance is over.
He made the declaration on Thursday while speaking at the Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria (NAEC) annual conference held in Lagos.
Mr Orji said the global shift toward cleaner energy through gas optimisation and renewables requires transparency, accountability, and innovation across every stage of the energy value chain.
“The path to Nigeria’s sustainable energy future rests on three interdependent values: transparency, accountability, and sustainability,” he stated.
He reaffirmed NEITI’s commitment to ensuring that every barrel of oil, every cubic foot of gas, and every kobo earned supports national development in full public view.
“Together with the media, civil society, and responsible industry players, we can build an energy sector that powers industries and empowers citizens.
“Let us make transparency our culture, accountability our standard, and sustainability our shared legacy,” Mr Orji said.
Describing transparency as more than a bureaucratic formality, Mr Orji called it an economic necessity that attracts investment, technology, and global partnerships.
“Our latest NEITI industry reports make this truth evident,” he noted.
According to NEITI’s 2021–2022 Oil and Gas Industry Reports, Nigeria earned $23.04 billion in 2021 and $23.05 billion in 2022 from the sector.
However, the reports also uncovered ₦1.5 trillion in outstanding remittances owed to the federation by some companies and government agencies.
He said these funds, if recovered, could strengthen energy infrastructure, healthcare, and education across the country.
“In 2022 alone, Nigeria lost 13.5 million barrels of crude oil worth $3.3 billion to theft and sabotage.
“That amount could have funded a full year of the federal health budget or provided energy access to millions of households.
“These losses represent not just economic setbacks but broken trust and missed opportunities for development. This is why transparency and accountability are not optional—they are essential,” he said.
Mr Orji highlighted NEITI’s transformation from a compliance-based audit body to a full-fledged governance reform institution over the past decade.
He cited key achievements, including regular audits in the oil, gas, and solid minerals sectors to track production, payments, and remediation.
One of NEITI’s milestones, he said, is the creation of Nigeria’s Beneficial Ownership Register, exposing the real owners of over 4,800 extractive assets.
He noted that the register has helped curb corruption and illicit financial flows within the sector.
“We rely on your vigilance to ensure our reports translate into public awareness and policy reform.
“As a strategic partner, NAEC’s role is indispensable. Journalists serve as the vital bridge between data and democracy,” Mr Orji said.
As Nigeria positions gas as its transitional energy source and looks toward renewables, Mr Orji said governance must evolve with innovation.
“Our energy future must be grounded in verifiable data, transparent contracts, measurable emissions, and accountable institutions,” he stated.
He envisaged a sector where every dollar is traceable, every contract is open, and every decision is transparent for shared national prosperity.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
![U.S. Mission[Credit: X.com]](https://gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/images-78-3.jpeg)
World
U.S. issues security alert to Americans worldwide as Iran kills two soldiers
The U.S. government issued a warning to all Americans worldwide amid the escalating war against Iran.

Heading 3
Tinubu’s scorecard is 139 million Nigerians in poverty; he should resign, not seek re-election: ADC
“The evidence of 139 million people living in poverty and 17 million at risk of starvation is President Tinubu’s scorecard,” the party said.

Lagos
Lagos govt working to tackle flooding, says SSG
She said the government was assessing critical drainage channels and other vulnerable locations to strengthen ongoing flood control measures.

States
Three killed, four injured in Anambra road crash: FRSC
The FRSC said the accident occurred on Friday along the Nnobi–Agulu–Awka road.

Politics
2027: Group asks ADC, Atiku to drop Amaechi as vice-presidential candidate
The group accused Mr Amaechi of desperation, saying that he lacked the grassroots strength required to win the election.
![Jens Spahn. [PHOTO CREDIT: ZDF]](https://gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Jens-Spahn.jpg)
Heading 4
German lawmaker resigns after backlash for welcoming child through surrogacy
The 46-year-old politician and his party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), had backed a ban on surrogacy.





