NIEEE tasks engineers on digital energy transition

By Precious Akutamadu

The President, Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NIEEE), Dr Felix Adeboye, has urged engineers to deploy digital technologies to accelerate Nigeria’s energy transition, improve electricity access and strengthen telecommunications infrastructure.

Adeboye made the call at the 22nd International Conference and Exhibition on Power and Telecommunications (ICEPT 2026), held in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

He described the conference theme, “Energy Transition in the Digital Era: The Nexus, Challenges and Opportunities,” as apt.

He said the conference provided a platform for knowledge exchange, innovation, professional networking and collaboration.

According to him, emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, the Internet of Things, digital twins and advanced communication networks, are transforming energy generation, transmission, distribution and consumption.

He said Nigeria needed locally relevant solutions to improve grid resilience, integrate renewable energy, reduce technical and commercial losses, strengthen telecommunications infrastructure and attract investment.

“Our task is not merely to adopt new technologies, but to develop solutions that respond to our realities,” Adeboye said.

He stressed that achieving a just and inclusive energy transition required collaboration among engineers, researchers, governments, industry, academia, investors and communities.

Adeboye identified the introduction of a dedicated NIEEE Fellows Assembly as a major highlight of the conference.

He said the assembly would examine the impact of AI on engineering practice, innovation and professional responsibility.

He said discussions would cover ethics, safety, cybersecurity, human oversight, professional accountability, education, standards and regulation.

He added that students and young engineers would demonstrate their technical competence through quiz and project exhibition competitions.

The NIEEE president urged participants to translate knowledge gained at the conference into practical technologies, stronger industry-academia partnerships, sound policies and sustainable engineering solutions.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr Mustafa Abdullahi, has called for digital technology integration into Nigeria’s energy system to accelerate the transition to cleaner energy.

Abdullahi, the keynote speaker, was represented by Dr Manasseh Sheeta, Acting Director, National Centre for Energy Efficiency, University of Lagos.

He said the world was undergoing two major transformations: the transition to a low-carbon energy system and the rapid advancement of digital technology.

“For decades, we treated energy and digital technology as two separate industries. Today, those boundaries have entirely dissolved,” he said.

He added that the future of energy depended on how effectively both sectors were integrated.

Abdullahi said the traditional centralised energy system was evolving into a decentralised network involving wind farms, solar installations, electric vehicle charging stations and battery storage systems.

He said digital technology was essential for managing the emerging energy network efficiently.

He explained that AI, digital twins and the Internet of Things could help predict energy generation, balance electricity supply and demand, and improve power distribution.

He, however, identified rising electricity demand driven by digitalisation, cybersecurity threats and inadequate infrastructure as major challenges.

Also, the traditional ruler of Nyenwele Rumueprikom Kingdom in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers, Amahule Owabie, commended NIEEE for its contributions to Nigeria’s digital transformation in the energy sector.

Owabie expressed confidence that the conference would provide valuable insights and encourage communities to support power sector development. (NAN)
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Edited by Grace Alegba