………as he pledges to strengthen institutional relevance
The newly appointed Executive Secretary, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Mr Musa Adar, has pledged to leverage his extensive legislative experience to strengthen NEITI’s visibility, institutional relevance and impact.
He said this on Tuesday in Abuja in his maiden address to the management and staff of NEITI as he officially assumed duty.
Adar said that NEITI’s mandate must be better understood across the country, considering its reputation as a beacon of openness in Nigeria’s extractive industries.
He said NEITI’s reports had shaped policies, influenced reforms, and strengthened public trust.
According to Adar, the journey ahead demands greater effort, particularly with Nigeria’s upcoming validation as a member of the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) scheduled for July 2026.
He underscored the need for the amendment of the NEITI Act 2007, adding the current Act does not provide NEITI with the institutional authority and capacity required to function optimally.
The NEITI helmsman said that review of the Act is essential to empower the agency with strong legal tools to enforce compliance, deepen reforms, drive transparency and accountability across the extractive sector.
Adar recalled his long-standing engagement with NEITI during his 16 years in the National Assembly, including his role as Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Upstream, which oversaw NEITI.
He expressed commitment towards ensuring that NEITI continues to publish accurate, credible, and accessible reports, while strengthening mechanisms to prevent extractive revenues from being lost to inefficiency or corruption.
Another key priority is the development of clear strategies that will support government to optimise Nigeria’s vast mineral endowments through beneficiation processes, thereby ensuring greater value addition and sustainable economic growth.
He further pledged to invest in staff capacity development and foster strong collaboration with government, civil society, the media, industry stakeholders, the global EITI, and development partners.
“NEITI staff are the heart of this great agency. I will invest in your growth, provide the tools you need, and create the enabling environment where excellence thrives,” he said .
Dr Dieter Bassi, Director of Policy, Planning and Strategy, NEITI, while welcoming the new executive secretary expressed management’s confidence in his leadership.
“We look forward to your insights, innovative strategies, and the positive impact you will bring to the NEITI family. Your wealth of experience and visionary approach align perfectly with NEITI’s mission and values,” Bassi said.
Until his appointment, Adar served as Chairman of the Board of the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority.
As a seasoned politician and public servant, he played a key role in the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), and sponsored several motions and bills focused on education, infrastructure development, among others.(NAN)
