Adar assumes office as NEITI executive secretary, unveils reform priorities

Musa Sarkin Adar has assumed office as the new Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), promising a reform-driven tenure focused on strengthening transparency, compliance, and sector-wide accountability.

Addressing management and staff at NEITI House, Adar said he would deploy his legislative and oversight experience to enhance the agency’s visibility and deepen its impact in the extractive sector.

He noted that while NEITI has earned national and global recognition for promoting openness in the oil, gas, and mining industries, more work lies ahead—particularly as Nigeria prepares for its next global EITI validation in July 2026.

A central plank of Adar’s agenda is the amendment of the NEITI Act 2007.

He argued that the current law limits the agency’s enforcement powers and institutional capacity, stressing that an updated Act is necessary to drive stronger compliance, advance reforms, and safeguard extractive revenues from leakages and inefficiencies.

Adar, who spent 16 years in the National Assembly and once chaired the House Committee on Petroleum Upstream, said he would prioritise publication of accurate and accessible industry reports while pushing for strategies that help the government maximise value from Nigeria’s mineral resources through beneficiation and value addition.

He also committed to staff development and stronger partnerships with government, civil society, the media, industry operators, development partners and the global EITI. “

NEITI staff are the heart of this great agency. I will invest in your growth and create the environment where excellence thrives,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of management, Dieter Bassi, Director of Policy, Planning and Strategy, welcomed the new Executive Secretary and expressed confidence in his leadership, noting that Adar’s experience aligns with NEITI’s mandate and long-term goals.

Before his appointment, Adar served as Chairman of the Board of the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority and played key roles in the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), along with sponsoring several legislative interventions on education, security, and infrastructure.

After his inaugural address, he held a closed-door strategy meeting with NEITI’s senior management team.