NEITI Seeks New Civil Society Agenda in Extractive Governance
From Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, has urged civil society organizations (CSOs) in Nigeria to adopt a new agenda that strengthens their role in extractive governance.
He made the call during a courtesy visit to the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC) in Abuja.
Dr. Orji emphasized the critical role of civil society globally in amplifying citizen voices, promoting transparency, and driving reforms.
He outlined areas where Nigerian CSOs can lead, including ensuring accountability in energy transition, analyzing contract and beneficial ownership disclosures, providing policy alternatives on fiscal justice, and curbing illicit financial flows through collaboration with journalists and watchdog institutions.
He further highlighted NEITI’s institutional reforms such as reviving the Inter-Ministerial Task Team, strengthening the Companies Forum, establishing a Data Center for real-time disclosures, and partnering with anti-graft agencies like EFCC, ICPC, and NFIU.
Dr. Orji challenged CISLAC to move beyond routine advocacy by providing research, knowledge leadership, and scholarly publications on extractive governance.
Welcoming the delegation, CISLAC Executive Director and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, Comrade Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, described the visit as a reaffirmation of their shared commitment to transparency and accountability.
He recalled CISLAC’s pivotal role in the establishment of NEITI and stressed the need for deeper collaboration, particularly in audit implementation, legislative advocacy, and strengthening civic space.
