Summary
Honourable Musa Adar, the newly appointed Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), has formally taken over leadership at the NEITI House.
Addressing management and staff during his inaugural meeting, Adar pledged to apply his deep legislative background and oversight experience to elevate NEITI’s national visibility, reinforce its institutional strength, and expand its overall impact.
He noted that NEITI’s mandate must become more widely recognised across Nigeria, emphasising that the agency has earned its place as a symbol of transparency within the extractive industries. Adar acknowledged that NEITI’s periodic reports have shaped government policies, driven sector reforms, and improved public trust, but insisted that more effort is required, particularly as Nigeria prepares for its next global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) validation scheduled for July 2026.
One of his major focus areas is the review of the NEITI Act 2007. According to him, the current legislation does not provide NEITI with the full authority and operational capability needed to function at its best. He stressed that updating the Act is crucial to granting NEITI stronger legal powers to enforce compliance, deepen reforms, and promote accountability throughout the nation’s extractive sector.
Adar reflected on his long association with NEITI during his 16 years in the National Assembly, especially in his capacity as Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Upstream, which had oversight responsibilities for the transparency agency.
He reaffirmed his determination to ensure that NEITI continues to release reliable, accessible, and fact-driven reports while enhancing systems that prevent extractive revenues from being lost through mismanagement or corruption.
The Executive Secretary also highlighted the need for clear strategies that will help Nigeria maximise its mineral wealth through beneficiation and value-addition processes, aimed at strengthening long-term economic growth.
In addition, he committed to prioritising staff development and strengthening NEITI’s collaboration with government institutions, civil society organisations, the media, industry operators, 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,” Hon. Adar assured.
Before his appointment, Adar served as Chairman of the Board of the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
What you should know
Musa Adar has officially resumed office as NEITI’s Executive Secretary, promising to strengthen the agency’s visibility, push for an amendment of the NEITI Act 2007, and enhance transparency across Nigeria’s extractive sector.
He also committed to developing staff capacity, improving stakeholder collaboration, and ensuring NEITI maintains high-quality, credible reporting.
