By Nkechi Eze
Nigeria’s extractive governance community witnessed a significant administrative transition on Monday as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the NEITI National Stakeholders Working Group (NSWG), Senator George Akume, CON, confirmed that the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, has been cleared to proceed on his statutory terminal leave. The leave takes effect ahead of the completion of Dr Orji’s five-year single tenure, which officially ends on 19 February 2026.
According to an official statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, Dr Orji’s decision to proceed on terminal leave follows a formal notification in strict compliance with established Public Service Rules.
The Federal Government commended Dr Orji for what it described as a distinguished, reform-driven tenure that strengthened Nigeria’s reputation within the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) family. Under his leadership, NEITI consolidated its role as a watchdog for transparency and accountability in the oil, gas, and mining sectors, delivering high-quality industry reports and deepening stakeholder engagement.
A major highlight of Dr Orji’s tenure was the establishment of the NEITI Data Centre — a milestone that positioned Nigeria as one of the most technologically advanced and credible EITI-implementing countries worldwide. The Centre has become the backbone of NEITI’s data automation strategy, providing real-time access to extractive sector information and supporting evidence-based reforms.
The statement reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding NEITI’s independence and strengthening its statutory mandate, noting that transparency reforms in the extractive sector remain central to Nigeria’s economic agenda and national development priorities. It also assured stakeholders that the reform momentum championed under Dr Orji will be sustained.
On behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the NSWG, the SGF conveyed government’s best wishes to Dr Orji, describing his service as meritorious, impactful, and instrumental to Nigeria’s global standing within the EITI community.
