PTDF trains journalists for improved oil, gas reporting
The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening journalists’ capacity to improve reporting on Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
The Executive Secretary of PTDF, Prof. Shuaibu Aliyu, said this on Monday in Lagos at a capacity-building programme for journalists and media stakeholders.
Aliyu, represented by the Head of Press and External Relations, Mrs Dupe Kay-Hambolu, said the initiative would promote accurate, balanced and impactful reporting on the petroleum sector.
He described the media as a strategic partner in shaping public discourse, promoting transparency and supporting national development.
According to him, effective reporting on the oil and gas industry requires a sound understanding of its policies, technologies and emerging issues.
Aliyu said PTDF, as Nigeria’s foremost human capacity development agency for the oil and gas sector, considered it necessary to extend capacity-building to media professionals.
He said the training would deepen participants’ understanding of PTDF’s mandate, programmes and interventions, leading to more accurate and insightful reporting.
The executive secretary said the Fund remained committed to developing skilled manpower, advancing research and innovation, promoting local content and supporting Nigeria’s energy future.
He added that those achievements should be communicated with clarity, context and credibility.
Aliyu reaffirmed PTDF’s commitment to sustaining its partnership with the media through continuous engagement, openness and mutual respect.
He expressed confidence that participants would report the complexities of the oil and gas industry with greater depth, accuracy and confidence.
Aliyu also commended the PTDF Press and External Relations Unit for initiating the programme and appreciated BetterWays Nigeria Ltd. for partnering with the Fund.
Earlier, the Group Managing Director of BetterWays Nigeria Ltd., Dr Victor Dare, described the oil and gas industry as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy.
Dare said the sector generated about 65 per cent of government revenue, over 85 per cent of export earnings and about 90 per cent of foreign exchange earnings.
He noted that despite contributing less than 10 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product, the industry’s strategic importance required accurate and balanced reporting.
According to him, journalists covering the petroleum sector need specialised knowledge to interpret technical issues and communicate them effectively to the public.
Dare said the workshop was designed to strengthen participants’ reporting skills, deepen their technical knowledge and enhance public confidence in the industry and PTDF.
