According to the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Nigeria experienced a significant loss of approximately 7.68 million barrels of crude oil in 2023 due to theft and other factors. This revelation was made by Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, the Executive Secretary of NEITI, during a Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Roundtable in Abuja.
Dr. Orji highlighted a remarkable 79% reduction in crude oil theft compared to the previous year, indicating some progress in the government’s efforts to combat this pervasive issue. He urged civil society representatives to focus on critical insights from the recently published NEITI 2022/2023 Oil and Gas Industry Reports.
He emphasised the essential role of civil society in monitoring government initiatives aimed at combating oil theft and advocating for stronger environmental protections. “CSOs should be vigilant in overseeing the government’s strategies to address oil theft and push for robust environmental safeguards,” he stated.
Moreover, Dr. Orji stressed the importance of civil society involvement in resource management policies, especially regarding the concerns of communities impacted by oil extraction. He called for improved revenue collection mechanisms to ensure that Nigeria fully benefits from its oil resources, stating, “CSOs must advocate for enhanced revenue collection to ensure that the nation maximises the benefits from its oil resources.”
The roundtable aimed to promote transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s oil sector, which has been marred by allegations of corruption and mismanagement. Dr. Orji announced that NEITI is finalising a data centre to improve public access to information regarding the extractive sector, which will house all industry reports dating back to 1999. This initiative aims to enhance compliance with the EITI Open Data Protocol.
Dr. Erisa Sarki, a representative from civil society on the NEITI Board, noted that the forum sought to foster open dialogue and actionable steps in alignment with NEITI’s vision to ensure that Nigeria’s extractive resources benefit all citizens.
In conclusion, Dr. Orji called for a concerted effort from civil society to engage actively with both urban and rural communities, asserting that the future of Nigeria’s extractive industries hinges on their active involvement. “We stand at a pivotal moment. Let us harness this opportunity to empower civil society, both urban and rural, to effect the change we desire,” he urged.
By fostering collaboration and advocating for transparency, the NEITI aims to strengthen Nigeria’s oil sector and ensure that the nation’s resources are managed effectively for the benefit of all its citizens.
