The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, has called on operators and stakeholders in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry to begin investing in research and digital solutions capable of producing more reliable forecasts to help the sector navigate ongoing uncertainties.
Ike made the call in a brief remark delivered on behalf of the NUJ- FCT Council at the 2026 Annual Conference of the Association of Energy Correspondents Abuja FCT (AECAF), held on Thursday in Abuja under the theme “Sustaining Oil and Gas Investment in Nigeria amidst Energy Transition.”
She described the theme as timely, noting the continued importance of oil and gas to Nigeria’s economy, national development, energy security and job creation, even as the global push toward cleaner energy sources accelerates.
Represented at the event by the ex-officio of the NUJ, FCT Council, Comrade Ebriku Friday (JP), the Council Chair said Nigeria’s task is to pursue a transition that is “balanced, practical and investment friendly” while still meeting its climate and development obligations.
Ike said the conference offered a valuable platform for policymakers, operators, investors, civil society and the media to examine the opportunities, risks and policy decisions shaping the sector’s future, and urged that discussions prioritise investor confidence, regulatory certainty, local content development, and ensuring that industry revenues translate into real benefits for Nigerians.
She also used the occasion to stress the media’s role in the sector, saying energy correspondents help citizens understand complex industry developments and hold stakeholders accountable through factual and responsible reporting. She commended AECAF for its commitment to professional journalism and constructive engagement on issues of national importance.
Ike assured the association of the NUJ FCT Council’s continued support for ethical and development-oriented journalism, and wished participants a successful conference and fruitful deliberations.
