New Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Musa Sarkin Adar, has pledged to leverage his extensive legislative and oversight experience to strengthen NEITI’s visibility, institutional relevance, and impact.
He gave the pledge on Tuesday in his maiden address to management and staff, marking his resumption of duty.
According to him, NEITI’s mandate must be better understood across the country, noting that the organization has built a reputation as a beacon of openness in Nigeria’s extractive industries.
He highlighted that NEITI’s reports have shaped policies, influenced reforms, and strengthened public trust, but stressed that 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.
A key priority outlined by the new Executive Secretary is the amendment of the NEITI Act 2007.
He explained that the current Act does not provide NEITI with the institutional authority and capacity required to function optimally.
He emphasized that a review of the Act is essential to empower NEITI with stronger legal tools to enforce compliance, deepen reforms, and drive transparency and accountability across the extractive sector.
He 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 affirmed his commitment to 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.
He further pledged to invest in staff capacity and foster stronger 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 affirmed.
Welcoming the new Executive Secretary on behalf of management and staff, Dr. Dieter Bassi, Director of Policy, Planning and Strategy, expressed management’s confidence in the leadership of Hon. Adar.
“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,” Dr. Bassi stated.
Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar had served as Chairman of the Board of the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority until his new appointment.
He is a seasoned politician and public servant who played a key role in the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and sponsored several motions and bills focused on education, security and infrastructure development.
