Commission chief executive, Nigerian upstream petroleum regulatory commission, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan has applauded the SPE Nigeria Council for providing the opportunity to develop capacity, deepen knowledge and understanding of the workings of the oil and gas sector in Nigeria.
The commission chief, represented by Engr. Amba Ndoma Egba, deputy director in the commission gave the applause on Saturday in Lagos while delivering the keynote address during an executive masterclass organised by the society of petroleum engineers, Nigeria council for energy journalists from across print, broadcast and online media platforms.
Speaking to the theme of the masterclass, “Engineering the narrative: why technical knowledge matters in energy journalism” Eyesan noted that the theme has become imperative and timely given the damage unverified information could potentially cause the energy sector.
“We live in an age when unverified information travels faster than it can be authenticated and a headline can move energy markets before the underlying facts are confirmed” she said.
Eyesan also explained that discussions on
engineering the narrative should not only be that of the media but rather a national burden that should concern all stakeholders including the regulators
The commission chief executive noted that as the nation’s technical and commercial regulator of upstream petroleum industry, the commission not only enforce compliance but also build confidence at the intersection of three pillars: transparent regulation,
technically sound operations, and accurate public communication, declaring that If
any one of these pillars is weakened, investor confidence will erode with declining public trust a development she said could have overriding implications for the development of a critical segment of Nigeria’s national economy.
The commission chief executive also said the petroleum Industry Act 2021 which established the Commission gave the regulator clearer mandates, explicit
obligation to regulate the sector transparently.
According to her the commission is already positioning Nigeria’s upstream sector as the continent’s most
transparent, investment-friendly, and technically rigorous petroleum
jurisdiction.
“Under this Commission, regulation is no longer simply a gatekeeping
exercise; it is a framework for enabling responsible growth. We regulate
not to obstruct, but to reduce risk; not to create confusion, but to provide
clarity” using the transparent manner the last bidding round was conducted as an indication of the commission’s commitment to building a robust and transparent sector with potential to attract investments in the country’s oil and gas sector.
To further deepen transparency and accountability the NUPRC’s boss said the commission is already partnering energy editors, correspondents across broadcast, print and online through workshops and capacity trainings similar to the executive class organised by the society of petroleum engineers, Nigeria council, concluding that efforts are already underway to further deepen this collaboration.
Earlier, Chairman, society of petroleum engineers, Nigeria council francis Nwaochei in his own remarks to kick-start the executive class session said the goal of the training is not to turn journalists into petroleum engineers, but rather to inspire practitioners to become even more effective energy journalists that will position them to ask the right questions, conduct due diligence to drive accurate reportage of the sector. According to the Spe, Nigeria council chair, television, newspapers, and online news platforms play critical role in shaping public perceptions, investor confidence including policy conversations, reasons why the role of such institutions must not be underrated in the scheme of things to strengthen coverage of the sector he emphasised. The executive class session is part of activities heralding the official commencement of NAICE 2026 conference which opens in Lagos on Monday, 3rd of July, 2026.
