Uyo: The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has reiterated its commitment towards ensuring real-time, automated, and centralised extractive sector data. The Executive Secretary, Dr. Orji Orji, announced at the 2025 National Extractives Dialogue in Uyo that NEITI had already established a data centre aimed at automating and centralising extractive sector data. The event was held under the theme: 'Transition, Divestment and Critical Minerals: Charting a Just Future for Nigeria's Extractive Sector'.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Orji stated that the data centre would soon become fully operational, centralising licensing, production, revenue, and export data across the oil, gas, and solid mineral sectors. He emphasized that this initiative would enhance transparency and accountability within the sector and enable automated disclosures by companies in alignment with NEITI standards. Dr. Orji highlighted the data centre as a testament to NEITI's commitment to intelligent, accessible, and actionable transparency in a data-driven world.
The Executive Secretary also stressed the necessity for a coordinated approach in addressing the challenges and opportunities arising from the global shift to clean energy, divestments, and the increasing demand for critical minerals. Mr. Gaza Gbefwi, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals, underscored the urgent need for policy actions to harness Nigeria's critical minerals, which are vital for the global clean energy transition. He cited an International Energy Agency report projecting that the demand for minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, and rare earth elements would quadruple by 2040.
Mr. Chukwuemeka Woke, Director General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), pointed out the critical moment Nigeria's extractive sector is facing as the world transitions to low-carbon energy systems. Represented by Mrs. Margaret Adesida, Woke noted several divestment deals involving major international oil companies had been initiated or concluded.
Earlier, Mrs. Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, Director of Spaces for Change, addressed the urgency for Nigeria to make informed decisions regarding regulation, environmental accountability, and community protection, as the world moves towards energy transition.