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By Adewale Sanyaolu
As Nigeria moves towards the 2027 general election, journalists, policymakers and industry experts are set to interrogate how politics and electoral choices could shape the country’s oil and gas industry, government revenue, investment and the wider economy.
The issues will take centre stage at the 2026 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Chapel, Lagos, scheduled for September 21 to 25.
A major lecture and symposium, themed, “2027 and Nigeria’s Future: Impact of Politics on Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry and Economy — The Role of the Media,” will hold on Wednesday, September 23, at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Complex, Surulere, Lagos.
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Vivian Ihechu, said the forum would examine how political developments and policy choices could affect the oil and gas sector and ultimately Nigeria’s economic fortunes.
According to her, discussions would focus on the implications for government revenue, investment, energy security, employment and overall economic performance.
“The media has a critical responsibility in shaping public understanding of these issues. Journalists must provide accurate, balanced and timely information while holding political leaders, public institutions and other stakeholders accountable,” Ihechu said.
She said the Press Week would also draw attention to the place of responsible journalism in strengthening democratic governance and national development.
Secretary of the NUJ-NAN Chapel, Lagos, Adeyemi Adeleye, said the choice of theme reflected the strategic importance of oil and gas to Nigeria’s economy and the need to deepen public understanding of the issues ahead of the elections.
He challenged journalists to go beyond reporting campaigns, defections and other political activities to interrogating how electoral outcomes and policy decisions could affect critical sectors and the lives of Nigerians.
“The 2027 elections will have implications for the direction of economic policies and the management of critical sectors such as oil and gas,” Adeleye said.
“The media therefore has a responsibility to deepen public understanding of these issues and ensure that political and economic debates are based on facts.”
The symposium is expected to bring together oil and gas industry leaders, political analysts, economists, financial and power-sector experts, security agencies, legislators, academics, students and media practitioners.
Beyond the policy conversation, the five-day Press Week will combine professional engagement with health, culture and community service.
Activities will begin on Monday, September 21, with a health walk from Yaba College of Technology to the NAN premises under the theme, “Stride Towards Healthier Workers,” followed by free medical checks and outreach.
Tuesday, September 22, will be Cultural Day, themed “Our Culture, Our Pride,” featuring a Kuti family appearance as part of activities around Felabration and a performance by Fuji musician Adewale Ayuba.
The programme will also include visits to orphanages and elderly care homes as part of the chapel’s community engagement activities.
Ihechu and Adeleye said the Press Week was designed to strengthen professional bonds among journalists while creating opportunities for engagement between the media, government, businesses and other sectors.
They called on media organisations, government institutions, corporate bodies, industry stakeholders and members of the public to support and participate in the programme, saying it would reinforce the chapel’s commitment to professional journalism, accountability and informed public discourse.
