EFCC, NEITI Deepen Alliance to Combat Fraud in Nigeria’s Extractive Sector
By Wellington Jopelo
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) have resolved to strengthen their partnership in a renewed push to improve transparency, accountability, and performance in Nigeria’s extractive industries.
The renewed commitment was sealed on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, when NEITI’s Executive Secretary, Honourable Musa Sarkin Adar, led a management delegation on a courtesy visit to the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, at the Commission’s corporate headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, Olukoyede described the extractive industry as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy and urged Adar to see his appointment as a defining opportunity to entrench transparency and accountability in a sector that continues to sustain the nation’s finances.
He recalled the long-standing working relationship between the EFCC and NEITI, noting that collaboration had intensified since his assumption of office.
“Your reports are like raw materials for us. Over the years, we have relied on NEITI’s findings to take action, make recoveries, and pursue accountability. Since my appointment, we have taken our collaboration to the next level, and I can assure you that we will work even more closely with you than we did with your predecessor,” Olukoyede said.
The EFCC Chairman added that the enhanced cooperation could lead to a review and strengthening of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both agencies.
“We already have an MoU with NEITI, but we are going to review it to see what needs improvement. Your Act may not have given you strong enforcement powers, but we will lend you our teeth to bite from time to time,” he said.
In his response, Adar, who was appointed in November 2025, said the visit aligned with his priority of engaging critical stakeholders whose mandates closely match NEITI’s responsibility to promote transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s extractive sector.
“I prioritise engagement with key institutions whose statutory mandates align closely with NEITI’s. I have been extensively briefed on the strategic partnership between our agencies and the commendable work carried out over the years. This visit is to ensure we further strengthen our existing collaboration,” he said.
Adar stressed that the meeting also served to reaffirm the strong institutional relationship between NEITI and the EFCC under the current MoU, while renewing a shared commitment to tackling systemic weaknesses that undermine effective governance in the extractive industry.
He noted that the renewed alliance was particularly timely as Nigeria prepares to host the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) body, adding that stronger domestic accountability frameworks would boost the country’s credibility on the international stage.
The renewed partnership between both agencies is expected to enhance oversight of Nigeria’s extractive sector, curb fraud, improve revenue accountability, and reinforce public confidence in the management of the nation’s natural resources.