From left: The Outgoing Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji handing over to the new Executive Secretary of NEITI, Hon Musa Sarkin Adar during the handover ceremony at NEITI House, Abuja.
The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) this Thursday witnessed a historic leadership transition as Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar formally received the handover from the outgoing Executive Secretary, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, at the NEITI House, Abuja.
The ceremony, witnessed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the National Stakeholders’ Working Group (NSWG) Senator George Akume, alongside industry leaders, civil society partners, development partners, and the media, underscored NEITI’s commitment to continuity, transparency and reforms
Senator George Akume, represented by the Director, Legal Services at the SGF’s Office Mrs. Kamilatu Mustapha Kida stated that with the transition that took place, government has once again demonstrated its support to continue the advancement of its extractive governance agenda in line with the global EITI Standards.
“NEITI remains a beacon of integrity and good governance in our public institutions, and we are confident that this transition will further strengthen its role as a model for transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s extractive sector”, Senator Akume emphasised”.
According to Dr. Akume, “Dr Orji’s leadership delivered historic milestones, including the acquisition and relocation to NEITI’s permanent office, expansion of industry reporting, strengthened public disclosures, improved inter-agency partnerships, and enhanced stakeholder confidence in the EITI process”.
The SGF reminded Hon. Adar, that he was appointed to succeed Orji because of his wealth of experience and industry knowledge of Nigeria’s extractive sector.
He prayed that God will guide the incoming ES with wisdom and divine direction while wishing the out-going ES God’s guidance in his future endeavours
Responding, the Executive Secretary of NEITI, Hon. Sarkin Adar, while accepting the handover, pledged to sustain Nigeria’s extractive sector reforms and consolidate NEITI’s role as a model of integrity and accountability.
Hon. Adar thanked the Federal government for the opportunity to serve, emphasising the need for sincerity, honesty, openness and objectivity by staff in other to move NEITI forward. “I am here to lead, but your competence, trustworthiness and hard work will guide my relationship with you”, he reiterated.
“This transition signals renewed momentum for NEITI’s mission to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance in Nigeria’s extractive industries”. He committed to drive the strengthening of the NEITI Act in collaboration with the National Assembly, to align with the Petroleum Industry Act and the EITI 2023 Standard, stating that the current Act has limitations that hinder NEITI’s performance and influence in the sector.
He expressed appreciation to Dr. Orji for his years of service and leadership to the nation and NEITI in particular and pledged to build on the institutional gains achieved under the outgoing administration.
In an emotional farewell, Dr. Orji reflected on his 4 decades of service to the Nigerian Government out of which 15years were spent in NEITI and outlined his achievements.
He reminded NEITI staff that “leadership ends, but character remains,” urging loyalty, forgiveness, and integrity in public service.
He urged his successor to focus on completing the Data Centre, deepening PIA implementation, strengthening oversight of the solid minerals sector, preparing early for the 2026 Validation, and sustaining NEITI’s visibility and stakeholder trust.
Representatives of the NEITI Board, Mrs Lovette Onanuga from the FIRS and Mr Gwueke Ajaifia who is the Executive Director of the Oil Producers Trade Section hailed the appointment of Hon. Adar and commended Dr. Orji for his outstanding leadership as the Secretary to the NEITI Board.
They respectively recalled his maturity, sense of humour and attention to details that guided the Board’s proceedings. Some members of the NEITI staff also took turns to eulogise the out-going ES describing him as a father, a mentor, and a builder who took NEITI from a rented office space to an edifice of its own. They prayed that God will keep him in good health as he proceeds on a well- deserved leave.
Dr. Orji joined NEITI in 2010 as Director of Communications. In 2021, he was appointed the Executive Secretary and dubbed “the father of modern NEITI” because of the transformation and infrastructure upgrade he undertook at the transparency agency.
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