SPE advocates technical knowledge for energy reporting
The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigerian Council has urged journalists covering the energy sector to strengthen their technical knowledge to improve the quality, accuracy and credibility of energy reporting.
The Chairman of the SPE Nigerian Council, Mr Francis Nwaochei, made the call at the council’s Executive Masterclass on Energy Journalism held in Lagos.
The masterclass, themed “Engineering the Narrative: Why Technical Knowledge Matters in Energy Journalism,” brought together journalists, engineers and other industry stakeholders.
Nwaochei said Nigeria’s evolving energy landscape required journalists to move beyond headlines and gain deeper understanding of technical, regulatory and commercial issues.
He said discussions on energy now covered gas development, energy security, carbon management, digital technologies, local content, infrastructure, financing and regulatory reforms.
According to him, the country’s energy discourse is also increasingly focused on the transition to a lower-carbon and more sustainable future.
“As the industry becomes more complex, reporting on it also requires greater depth and context,” he said.
Nwaochei stressed the need for balanced reporting that reflects both the opportunities and challenges facing the sector.
He said credibility in journalism should be built on facts, evidence and responsible reporting rather than sensational headlines.
The SPE chairman said the masterclass was designed to equip journalists with technical understanding, enabling them to ask informed questions, conduct due diligence and produce credible reports.
He also urged engineers and other industry professionals to explain technical concepts in simple language without sacrificing accuracy.
“We should be open to questions and recognise that informed journalism strengthens, rather than weakens, our industry,” he said.
Also speaking, the Immediate Past Chairman of SPE Nigeria, Mrs Aminat Danmadami, said the country’s energy sector was entering a critical phase that required greater public understanding.
She urged journalists to go beyond event-based reporting and help citizens understand the impact of engineering, technology and regulation on the sector.
Danmadami said informed reporting would improve public appreciation of policies, innovations and investments shaping Nigeria’s energy future.
Participants at the workshop also called for stronger collaboration among engineers, regulators and media professionals to promote accurate, credible and balanced reporting.
They said sustained engagement would strengthen public confidence in the energy sector and support informed public discourse.
