CSOs Commend Emergence Of New EITI Board Chair, Sets Agenda
By Juliet Ukanwosu
The Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), Koyenum Immalah Foundation (KIF), and Women in Extractives (WiE) have commended the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) for a transparent and inclusive process that has resulted in the nomination of Maria van der Hoeven as the next Chair of the EITI Board for the 2026–2029 term.
The group which congratulated Ms. van der Hoeven on her nomination, however, called for stronger gender reporting, civic space protection and future Global South leadership among others.
In a statement on behalf of the group, Faith Nwadishi, a former EITI Board member, and Executive Director of CTA, described the nomination as a continued affirmation of the EITI’s commitment to gender-responsive leadership and diversity at the highest levels.
Nwadishi said Ms. van der Hoeven extensive global experience in energy governance and her deep appreciation for multi-stakeholder engagement make her well-positioned to steer the EITI at a time when countries face complex governance, energy transition, and accountability challenges.
“We also proudly acknowledge and celebrate the remarkable lineage of women who have led the EITI, including Hon. Clare Short, Rt. Hon. Helen Clark, and now Ms. Maria van der Hoeven. Their leadership demonstrates the EITI’s recognition that women bring critical perspectives, stability, and vision to natural resource governance,” Nwadishi said.
Speaking further, she said, looking ahead, a more robust implementation of the EITI Standard, particularly in the areas of Gender-disaggregated reporting that goes beyond employment data to capture the full impact of extractive activities on women and marginalized host communities, is anticipated by the group.
She added that gendered energy transition data, essential for fair and inclusive planning as countries shift toward new energy systems, accessible, citizen-focused data that enables meaningful public debate with parliament and across all tiers of government, and transparency on savings and investments, such as the Nigeria’s sovereign wealth funds, to ensure future generations understand and benefit from extractive revenues, are also anticipated.
She also listed clear reporting on how extractive revenues are used to support vulnerable groups, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities, as priority focus areas, while stressing civic space protection at all times. “The EITI’s multi-stakeholder model thrives only when civil society can participate freely, independently, and without fear,” The former EITI Board member stated.
Emphasizing the need for a Global South leadership, she said, “While we welcome this nomination and commend the inclusive and wide-ranging search process undertaken by the EITI Board, we also encourage continued efforts in future appointments to ensure strong representation from the Global South particularly from resource-rich regions where the EITI’s work has the most direct impact. Such representation will further strengthen global ownership and deepen the EITI’s credibility”.
Nwadishi noted that the group look forward to constructive engagement with Ms. van der Hoeven as she leads the EITI into its next chapter, while reaffirming group’s commitment to supporting the EITI, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), industry stakeholders, and citizens in advancing transparency, accountability, and gender inclusion within the extractive sector.
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