News
NEITI, EFCC Join Forces to Recover $72bn from Oil Sector
By Gloria Ikibah
The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has said it is in a partnership with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to recover a total sum of $72 billion owed to the Federal Government by oil industry stakeholders.
Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, disclosed this during the agency’s 2025 budget proposal before the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) on Monday in Abuja.
He stated that NEITI, which was established to promote transparency in Nigeria’s oil, gas, and mining sectors, had been allocated a budget of N6.5 billion for 2025, covering personnel, overhead, and capital projects.
Dr. Orji highlighted key projects for 2025, including audits of the oil, gas, and mining sectors, research on fuel consumption, energy transition impacts, and a perception survey on EITI implementation. He noted that NEITI had previously recovered $3.7 billion in outstanding liabilities for the government from its 2020 and 2021 reports.
However, members of the House Committee criticized the agency for budgetary inconsistencies, including repeated line items and unjustifiable expenses.
Rep. Kafilat Ogbara questioned a proposed N32 million allocation for meals in 2025, and called for alignment with Nigeria’s economic realities.
Similarly, Rep. Ademorin Kuye urged government agencies to adopt prudent budgeting practices, emphasizing the public perception that the National Assembly merely approves all requests from agencies without scrutiny.
The committee called for greater fiscal discipline and accountability in government spending to reflect the nation’s economic challenges.
The Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Alhassan Doguwa, expressed dissatisfaction with the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative’s (NEITI) 2025 budget presentation.
He faulted the language used in the budget’s preparation and raised concerns about the inclusion of the National Assembly as beneficiaries of the agency’s welfare package.
Doguwa questioned the rationale behind such allocations, and noted that the committee has not conducted any oversight visits to the agency since its constitution, and emphasised that the only welfare the House expects from NEITI is one that prioritizes the well-being of the Nigerian people, not personal benefits.
He said: While I agree that the budget stops at our desk and you are just presenting a proposal, I will like to say that the economy is actually bad, the population of people for whom we are actually here are crying out. Agencies of government must be mindful of what they spend out of public resources.
“All these proposals are going to be spend at the expense of the Nigerian people. Sometimes, we come to make presentations here that sounds funny and very insultive in the eyes of the people. When you say in your projection things like welfare package inform of ex-gracia, health insurance, welfare packages to staff and some critical stakeholders during welfare packages”.
Doguwa however reiterated the Committee’s readiness to support the agency in actualising its mandate, and said “your agency is a critical one and the legislature unappreciative of the work that you are doing.
“We will definitely try as much as possible to support you as long as you can justify the reasons for one expenditure or the other. Then the legislature will have no option than to support you and provide you with the enabling financial environment for you to discharge your duties and mandate.”
In a move to foster skills acquisition and promote economic empowerment, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Education Secretariat through the Department of Mass Education has flagged off a one-week free holiday vocational and entrepreneurship training program.
The program is a collaborative initiative of the FCT Department of Mass Education, The Potter’s Wheel Foundation, and the Nigerian Non-Governmental Association for Literacy Support Services (NOGALSS).
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the FCT Mandate Secretary for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo emphasized the Importance of skills acquisition and entrepreneurship in today’s world describing it as imperative to be self reliant , empowered and resourceful.
He highlighted the Wike- led FCT Administration’s commitment to championing the Renewed Hope Agenda adding that the initiative is a critical strategy for reducing unemployment and building resilience among Abuja residents through practical skill acquisition and entrepreneurship training.
He commended the Department on the synergy between the government and non-governmental organizations noting that it will further empower the people of the FCT with skills and knowledge that lead to viable income-generating opportunities.
He urged the participants to fully utilize the opportunity, network actively and apply themselves diligently to the various training sessions.
In her welcome address,Dr. Favour Edem -Nse,the Director, FCT Department of Mass Education said,the training aligns with Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs) and contributes significantly to reducing the number of out- of- school children, unskilled youths and unemployed women in the Federal Capital Territory.
She added that, the Department goal is not just to train but to guide participants towards becoming self – sufficient and successful entrepreneurs .
She noted that the one week free training program is a manifestation of the Department ‘s broader vision of literacy and lifelong learning.
She revealed that the Department in collaboration with The Potter’s Wheel Foundation and the Nigerian Non- Governmental Association for Literacy Support Services( NOGALSS) will train them hands on session in production of laundry soap,bleach , liquid soap, toilet and car wash , disinfectant,air freshener,snack among others as well as key entrepreneurship modules on Bookkeeping and financial management, marketing and branding with social media management.
She expressed her gratitude to the Mandate Secretary for Education and the Management for the massive support of the life changing opportunity program targeted at women,youths, children and other community residents to equip them with tools for economic self reliance .
The well attended program which drew partner organizations, staff of the Department of Mass Education and enthusiastic participants will run throughout the week with facilitators providing continued support beyond the training period.
A 28-year-old electrician, whose name has not been revealed, has been electrocuted in Oyo State at Eruwa in Ibarapa East of Oyo State.
The victim was electrocuted at the Odo Babaode area of the town.
The man was electrocuted on a high-tension cable belonging to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
The incident occurred when the victim was trying to rectify an electrical fault on the active power lines without being shut down from the feeder.
The General Manager of Oyo State Fire Service, Mr Yemi Akinyinka, who confirmed the development, said a distress call was received by the agency Wednesday afternoon.
He said, “The distressed call was reported at 15:29hrs on Wednesday, 23rd April, 2025.
“The fire personnel led by PFS1 Peluola Babatunde quickly followed the caller and on arrival at the place, we met the victim already electrocuted, and all necessary precautionary measures were observed so as to safeguard the citizens within the vicinity.
“The man was recovered and handed over to a team of police from Eruwa police Station. The incident occurred when the victim (electrician) was trying to rectify an electrical fault on the active power lines without shutting down the feeder.”
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