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Extractive sector governance: does a nexus of accountability render local extractive industries transparency initiatives ineffective?

Olayinka Moses (School of Accounting and Commercial Law, Wellington School of Business and Government, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand)
Dimu Ehalaiye (School of Accountancy, Massey Business School, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand)
Matthew Sorola (Toulouse Business School, Toulouse, France)
Philippe Lassou (Department of Management, Lang School of Business and Economics, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada)

Meditari Accountancy Research

ISSN: 2049-372X

Article publication date: 28 February 2023

Issue publication date: 9 February 2024

539

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative’s (NEITI) ineffectiveness in delivering public accountability to Nigerian citizens. Although this failure is recognised in prior literature, the authors contend that NEITI’s role is obscured by one-sided links to external factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual framework presented in this study is built around Dillard and Vinnari’s (2019) distinction between different accountability systems and Brown and Dillard’s (2020) complimentary insights on the technologies of hubris and humility. The analytical framework draws from Grant and Keohane’s (2005) modes of accountability, which the authors use to articulate conflicting accountability demands (to-whom and for-what) of NEITI’s operating relationships. Combined, the authors analyse official documents, media, reports and interview responses from members of NEITI’s National Stakeholders Working Group.

Findings

This study surfaces a variety of intersecting interests across NEITI’s operational relationships. Some of these interests are mutually beneficial like that of Donors and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. Others run counter to each other, such as NEITI’s relationship to the Presidency which illustrates a key source of NEITI’s ineffectiveness. In discussing these interests, the authors articulate their connection to NEITI’s design as an accountability system and its embedded limitations.

Originality/value

The authors provide incremental understanding of prior insight regarding NEITI’s ineffectiveness by drawing attention to its fundamental design as an accountability system and its failure to deliver public accountability. To illuminate these failures, the authors also map NEITI’s competing accountability demands – the nexus of accountability – to demonstrate the complex socio-political reality within which NEITI is expected to operate. The authors posit that NEITI’s ineffectiveness has as much to do with NEITI itself, as it does with external factors like the quality of information disclosed and the unique Nigerian context.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors extend their sincerest gratitude to Professor Marcia Annisette, Professor Trevor Hopper, Professor Judy Brown, Professor Jesse Dillard, and Dr Rodney Dormer for their invaluable contributions to the paper through their insightful feedback and comments. Additionally, the authors express their appreciation to the discussants and attendees at the 2022 African Accounting and Finance Association conference in Egypt, who provided meaningful feedback and helped enrich the paper.

Citation

Moses, O., Ehalaiye, D., Sorola, M. and Lassou, P. (2024), "Extractive sector governance: does a nexus of accountability render local extractive industries transparency initiatives ineffective?", Meditari Accountancy Research, Vol. 32 No. 1, pp. 176-206. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEDAR-08-2021-1426

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited

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