NEITI Urges Media To Sustain Report On Extractive Industry

Nigerian Extractive Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has sought stronger collaboration with the media to expand information on its activities to states and local governments in Nigeria.

NEITI specifically commended the media for disseminating critical information contained in its industry reports, which expose revenue inflows, governance gaps, policy recommendations, and the impact of the extractive sector on Nigeria’s economy.

The executive secretary of NEITI, Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, disclosed this in Abuja while receiving the Editorial Board of Signature Television led by the president and chief executive officer, Vinmartin Obiora Ilo at the NEITI House, Abuja.

“Your visit today is both timely and significant, given the critical role that the media plays in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance—values that lie at the heart of NEITI’s mandate” Dr Orji remarked.

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The NEITI executive secretary explained that the media was not just a medium, the messenger but a strategic partner in NEITI’s mission to ensure that Nigeria’s extractive sector operates with integrity, openness, and efficiency for the benefit of all citizens.

“The power of investigative journalism, public enlightenment and education and agenda-setting remain indispensable in holding both the government and private sector accountable using crucial information and data contained in NEITI reports”, he added.

Dr Orji called for deeper understanding and partnership between signature television and NEITI to take the message of good governance of Nigeria’s natural resources to states, local governments and rural communities.

“Through your work at Signature TV—one of the fastest-growing online and television networks, you have demonstrated a commitment to in-depth reporting, fact-based storytelling, and national development. We seek your support to take our activities to rural areas”, Orji emphasised.

He recalled that, over the years, NEITI has relied on the media to disseminate critical information contained in its industry reports, which expose revenue inflows, governance gaps, policy recommendations, and the impact of the extractive sector on Nigeria’s economy.

The recent revelations in our 2022 and 2023 industry reports, including the staggering losses to oil theft, subsidy payments, and unremitted revenues, require sustained media attention to drive necessary reforms.

“As we continue our work in shaping Nigeria’s approach to energy transition, combating corruption, and strengthening revenue mobilisation, we seek the full support of the media, especially platforms like Signature TV, to amplify our findings and engage the public in meaningful discourse. We encourage investigative reporting, feature analyses, and special programming that will ensure citizens, policymakers, and industry stakeholders act on the data we provide.

“In this regard, I look forward to a strengthened collaboration between NEITI and Signature TV. We are open to partnerships that will deepen public awareness of our work, expand media capacity on extractive sector reporting, and foster national conversations that will enhance transparency and good governance in the industry”, the executive secretary stated.

The chairman/editor in chief of Signature Television, outlined the contributions of the media organisation in promoting rural based information, dissemination, public education and community engagement and called for closer collaboration between NEITI and Signature TV to educate and enlighten oil, gas and mining host communities on the importance of dialogue, constructive civic engagement on issues of social and economic justice, environmental protection and gender inclusion.

Ilo commended NEITI for its courage, competence and integrity demonstrated over the years in providing quality information and data to the public on issues of corruption in the extractive sector.