Industry experts have said that Nigeria’s evolving energy industry is increasing the need for journalists to develop stronger technical knowledge, as reporting on the sector now extends beyond crude oil to gas development, energy security, carbon management, digital technologies and regulatory reforms.

They warned that inaccurate or poorly understood reports could distort public understanding of the sector, undermine investor confidence, and weaken trust, stressing that credible journalism must be built on facts, context, and technical understanding.

Speaking at the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council Executive Masterclass on Energy Journalism in Lagos, the Council Chairman, Francis Nwaochei, said the growing complexity of the energy industry requires reporters to go beyond headline writing and develop a better understanding of technical issues.

He said: “Our theme, ‘Engineering the Narrative: Why Technical Knowledge Matters in Energy Journalism,’ speaks directly to the role that credible journalism plays in shaping public understanding of Nigeria’s energy industry. The stories that appear in our newspapers, on television, on online platforms, and across social media influence public perception, investor confidence, and even policy conversations. That is why accuracy matters. ”

Nwaochei noted that journalists should understand the distinction between industry terms and figures, explaining that production targets differ from actual production, reserve estimates are not the same as recoverable production, and licence awards do not automatically translate into first oil.

“Those simple questions can make the difference between a good story and a truly insightful one,” he said, urging journalists to verify claims, understand the context behind industry figures and seek clarification before publishing reports.

He added that while the masterclass was not designed to turn journalists into petroleum engineers, it was aimed at equipping them with the confidence to ask the right questions, conduct due diligence and produce accurate, balanced and well-researched reports.

Nwaochei urged both journalists and industry professionals to work together to promote responsible communication, saying that engineers must also explain technical concepts in clear language.

“Credibility is built not by sensational headlines, but by facts, evidence and responsible journalism,” he said.

Also speaking, Deputy Director of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Dr Amba Ndoma Egba, described the intersection of technical knowledge and energy journalism as “a national imperative,” saying transparent regulation, sound technical operations and accurate public communication are essential to sustaining confidence in the petroleum industry.