The Global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative validation team has arrived in Nigeria to assess the country's progress in improving transparency and accountability in the oil, gas and mining sectors.

The validation mission, which begins on Monday, is part of the 2026 EITI Validation Exercise that commenced on July 1. The assessment will provide an opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate progress made in implementing corrective actions identified during its previous assessment.

The mission will run from August 10 to 14, with assessors expected to conduct a quality assurance assessment and consult stakeholders across the extractive sector. These include government institutions, the National Assembly, oil, gas and mining companies, civil society organisations, anti-corruption agencies, host communities, development partners and the media.

The assessors are also expected to meet senior government officials and key institutions involved in managing and overseeing Nigeria's natural resources, including Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, members of the NEITI National Stakeholders Working Group, relevant ministers, the NNPC Limited Group Chief Executive Officer and National Assembly committees.

NEITI Executive Secretary Musa Sarkin Adar described the exercise as an opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate its commitment to transparency, accountability and responsible management of its natural resources.

He said NEITI had submitted Nigeria's validation documentation and conducted targeted stakeholder engagements in preparation for the assessment.

The EITI validation process serves as an independent quality assurance mechanism for assessing how well implementing countries comply with the EITI Standard, while identifying areas requiring further reforms.

Nigeria's previous validation, conducted in January 2023 under the 2019 EITI Standard, resulted in a moderate overall score of 72 points and identified corrective actions for the country to address before its next assessment.