Towards Information Transparency: Current Posture and Advocacy for Open Data Systems for Efficiency, Equity and Justice – The Nigerian Oil and Gas Experience

Transparency in information is one of the most important undertaking that the government in collaboration with oil and gas stakeholders can offer to the public. Open, and therefore, accessible, nonproprietary data in the current information age is a tool for improved governance, transparency and innovation. The oil and gas industry is a huge data generator through its daily operations, it is a leader and in fact, a home to big data. From existing development assets, to supply chains, customer relations etc, data provides a competitive advantage for organizational growth and management. Beyond the strategic opportunities that big data provides within the industry, is the enormous capabilities that big data through open data initiatives can have on company-community relations. In this paper, we examine the various acts and legislations governing oil and gas industry operations and their position on data transparency. Our examination sheds light on current positions of the tripartite of law, policy and practice and the demonstrated gaps between this tripartite. In addition to the legal analysis, we also examine the issue of open data through the petroleum engineering prism. The benefits and significant impact a movement in open data will deliver to the industry are also examined which include but are not limited to: addressing public concerns and increasing community workforce participation and protection of oil and non-oil natural resources. Finally, because discussion on open data is incomplete without the necessary data literacy skills needed to utilize, analyze and draw meaningful conclusions from data, we examine how best we can increase these skills within the community to bridge the information divide. As we enter 20 years of steady democracy and political process in Nigeria, open data will certainly disband doubts and fake news in our energy conversations as it will provide a level playing field for all parties. Public discourse will be more focused on facts and lead to improved and sound decision making.