NEITI Vows To Monitor Spending Of Oil, Gas, Mining Revenues

NEITI vows to monitor spending of oil, gas, mining revenues. Mr Orji said NEITI remained committed to exposing hidden ownership structures to combat corruption.

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s oil, gas and mining revenues are managed for the benefit of all citizens.

NEITI said it would deepen beneficial ownership disclosures, strengthen revenue tracking and contract transparency, and ensure full implementation of extractive sector governance reforms.

Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, NEITI’s executive secretary, said while briefing journalists in Abuja on the progress made in advancing transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s extractive sector.

In the bid to enhance beneficial ownership transparency, Mr Orji said NEITI remained committed to exposing hidden ownership structures to combat corruption.

“We improved the scope, quality, and timeliness of NEITI’s industry reports, expanding our reporting focus to include beneficial ownership, contract transparency, and environmental impacts.

“Reconstitution of the NEITI NSWG, ensuring high-level leadership, making it the only federal board chaired by the secretary to the government of the federation,’’ he said.

Naira

Mr Orji mentioned the establishment of the NEITI Data Centre Project, a strategic initiative designed to centralise and automate extractive sector data, ensuring open access to industry information and systematic disclosures in line with the EITI 2023 standards.

He said the inter-ministerial task team responsible for implementing NEITI’s report recommendations was reconstituted in May 2024 after seven years of inaction.
Mr Orji disclosed that the membership was upgraded to director-level representation, strengthening decision-making and policy implementation capacity.

NCDC Warns: Nigeria In Peak Meningitis Season

NCDC warns: Nigeria in peak meningitis season. The latest figures indicate a surge in infections, with 807 suspected cases and 74 deaths reported across 22 states and Abuja as of March 26, 2025.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has raised concerns over the increasing number of cerebrospinal meningitis cases across the country, saying its peak season is between November and May.

The latest figures indicate a surge in infections, with 807 suspected cases and 74 deaths reported across 22 states and Abuja as of March 26, 2025. The NCDC director-general, Jide Idris, said this in an interview on Monday in Abuja.

Mr Idris said the agency has activated emergency response measures to curb the outbreak, particularly in Kebbi, Katsina, and Sokoto, which are the most affected states.

“We are in the peak meningitis season, and the risk of transmission is high due to dry, dusty weather and overcrowding. The government is intensifying vaccination efforts, but public awareness and early detection remain crucial in preventing fatalities,” Mr Idris said.

According to him, in Kebbi, health authorities have confirmed 248 suspected cases and 26 deaths since late January. He described the situation as alarming.

“We are experiencing a sharp increase in cases, and urgent intervention is required to prevent more deaths. In Gombe state, 70 suspected cases have been recorded, with 31 confirmed infections and three fatalities. Residents should seek medical attention immediately.

“Meningitis is a deadly but preventable disease. Anyone experiencing high fever, stiff neck, or severe headaches should visit a health facility without delay,” he said.

He noted that without urgent treatment, meningitis could lead to brain damage, hearing loss, or death within hours.

He said the agency has deployed Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) to the hardest-hit states to curb the outbreak.

“These teams are working with state governments to conduct mass vaccination campaigns in high-risk areas, strengthen case surveillance and laboratory testing, provide free treatment for confirmed cases at government hospitals and launch public awareness drives to educate citizens on prevention,” he said.

According to him, vaccination remains the most effective protection against meningitis.

NCDC Warns

“We urge parents and community leaders to ensure that children and at-risk individuals get vaccinated. The vaccines are available at health centres nationwide,” he said.

He said that Nigerians can stay safe by getting vaccinated at the nearest health centre, avoiding overcrowded, poorly ventilated places and practicing good hygiene—washing hands regularly.

Mr Idris also advised citizens to avoid close contact with sick individuals and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms appear.

He warned health officials that meningitis cases could continue to rise if preventive measures were not taken seriously.

“Nigerians are urged to report suspected cases immediately. For emergencies, dial the NCDC helpline: 6232.

“Early detection saves lives. Let’s work together to stop this outbreak before it claims more victims,” he stressed.

Mr Idris reassured that vaccines and treatment are available. “Stay alert, get vaccinated and save lives,” he said.

NEITI Plans Review Of $6bn Divestments By 5 IOCs

NEITI plans review of $6bn divestments by 5 IOCs. NEITI has announced a review of divestments involving 26 oil blocks worth $6.03 billion by five IOCs.

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative has announced a review of divestments involving 26 oil blocks worth $6.03 billion by five International Oil Companies.

The executive director of NEITI, Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, disclosed this during its first quarter media briefing in Abuja.

The transactions include notable sales such as Shell to Renaissance ($2.4 billion), ExxonMobil to Seplat ($1.28 billion), and TotalEnergies to Chappal ($860 million).

Mr Orji said the oil and gas divestments were reshaping Nigeria’s industry, hence the need to ensure that the divestments adhered to due process.

He said NEITI would strengthen collaborations with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to ensure full disclosure of financial, social, and environmental aspects of divestments.

“NEITI recognises the urgent need for transparency in these transactions to protect national interests, host communities, and revenue flows.

“To achieve this, NEITI will expand industry reports to include dedicated sections on divestments. We will intensify collaboration with NNPC Ltd. and other government agencies to disclose forward sales data.

“NEITI will promote greater public awareness and engagement in asset transfers and ensure transparency in forward sales (pre-sales of crude oil and gas) to impact government revenues and fiscal stability,’’ he said.

Mr Orji, while emphasising ensuring due process and proper environmental remediation in these deals, expressed concerns over unresolved environmental issues in oil-producing communities.

He called for collaboration with regulatory bodies such as NUPRC and the Ministry of Environment to ensure transparency and enforce accountability for clean-up costs and remediation efforts.

Mr Orji expressed concern that some of the divestments might not have properly addressed environmental issues raised by oil-producing communities.

Also, following complaints of inadequate supply of crude oil by local refineries, NEITI said it would review the forward sales of Nigeria’s crude oil by the Federal Government in exchange for loans.

He stated that Nigeria had earned $831 billion from oil and gas in the past 23 years when NEITI began the conduct of the audit of the sector.

NEITI

He also disclosed that over $4.85 billion had been recovered from the disclosures of $8.26 billion made in its 2021 oil and gas report.

“As we commence the 2024 Oil, Gas, and Solid Minerals Reports, we will expand our reporting framework to address forward sales and pre-export financing transactions,” he said.

The executive secretary said while Nigeria had made progress in ensuring transparency in the oil and gas and solid minerals sectors, a lot of work still needed to be done regarding institutional constraints and funding limitations.