NEITI
By Olayiwola Mercy
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has formally accepted Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji’s request to start his statutory terminal leave, a move that will see the NEITI chief step back before his five‑year tenure officially wraps up on 19 February 2026 .
The decision follows a written notice from Dr Orji, submitted in full compliance with the public‑service regulations, and it was communicated in a statement released by the SGF’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen.
In the statement, Akume, who also chairs the NEITI National Stakeholders Working Group, praised Dr Orji for his “exemplary, reform‑driven leadership” and highlighted the many strides made under his watch. He noted that Dr Orji’s efforts have not only boosted Nigeria’s standing in the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative but have also left a lasting imprint on the country’s extractive sector .The government’s appreciation was echoed by President Bola Tinubu, whose administration thanked Dr Orji for his dedicated service and wished him well in his future endeavours.
A key milestone attributed to Dr Orji’s leadership is the establishment of the NEITI Data Centre, a facility that has dramatically enhanced the agency’s ability to collect, analyse and publish transparent data on oil, gas and mining revenues This centre is now seen as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s commitment to open governance, providing citizens with real‑time access to critical information about the country’s natural‑resource earnings.
The Federal Government reiterated its pledge to safeguard NEITI’s independence and to continue strengthening the agency’s statutory mandate. Officials stressed that the transition will be smooth, with the administration committed to preserving the transparency reforms that have been hard‑won over the past few years They also emphasized that the upcoming hand‑over will not disrupt the agency’s ongoing programmes aimed at curbing corruption and improving revenue collection.
Dr Orji’s departure comes at a pivotal moment for the extractive sector, as Nigeria seeks to attract more foreign investment and improve its fiscal outlook. Observers note that his steady hand has helped steer the agency through a period of heightened scrutiny, and his departure will be felt across both local and international circles Nonetheless, the government’s expressed confidence in the agency’s future suggests that the reforms he championed will continue to shape policy.
As the country looks ahead, the appointment of a successor will be closely watched, with many hoping the new leader will maintain the momentum that Dr Orji helped build. For now, the focus remains on celebrating his contributions and ensuring that the NEITI Data Centre and other initiatives keep delivering value to Nigerians for years to come .
