Evaluating the Impact of Media Representation of Nigeria's Energy Transition from Oil to Solar for Sustainable Development

Background: Nigeria’s economy relies heavily on oil, though global decarbonization pressures, domestic power deficits, and untapped solar resources necessitate a shift toward renewables. Problem: Public engagement with the energy transition is largely mediated by news coverage, yet mainstream reporting often fails to present a balanced, solutions-focused narrative for solar adoption. Purpose: This study evaluated the impact of media representations of Nigeria's oil-to-solar energy transition on public perception and sustainable development. Methodology: Employing a cross-sectional design, the research combined a quantitative content analysis of 410 stories from four national newspapers (2021–2026) with a descriptive survey of adult media consumers across Nigeria's geopolitical zones. Results: Oil coverage emphasized economic and political frames, whereas solar coverage centered on environmental and security aspects, with a chi-square test indicating a significant link between framing patterns and public perception of solar adoption (χ²(5) = 18.42, p < .05). Conclusion: Current media framing disproportionately favors the economic viability of oil over solar energy, directly contributing to lagging public buy-in for renewable alternatives. Recommendations: The study advises implementing targeted science-communication training for energy journalists, fostering solutions-oriented reporting, and building collaborative frameworks between renewable stakeholders and newsrooms.