By Tosin Kolade
Nigerian power consultants have referred to as for funding in regionally developed Artificial Intelligence (AI) applied sciences to enhance effectivity, scale back prices, create jobs and strengthen indigenous firms’ competitiveness.
They made the decision on Thursday on the ongoing 2026 Emogas International Natural Gas-Based Industry Conference and Exhibition (EINGICE) in Abuja.
The name spotlight alternatives in commercialising native improvements and increasing gas-based industries.
Mr Bassey Rex, Chief Executive Officer, AfricEnergy and Infrastructure Ltd., and founding father of Ikwe-Onna Refinery Ltd., mentioned Nigeria had the technical capability to develop home-grown power applied sciences.
Rex mentioned the nation wanted stronger help for entrepreneurs to commercialise improvements and transfer from consuming imported applied sciences to growing and exporting regionally designed options.
“Africa has no shortage of talent. What we need is more companies, African-owned and African-built, that will turn that talent into products and services that people can pay for,” he mentioned.
He recognized predictive upkeep, pipeline inspection, undertaking administration, emissions monitoring and gasoline distribution as areas the place AI, automation, sensors and information analytics might enhance power operations.
Rex mentioned regionally developed applied sciences ought to replicate Nigeria’s working situations, together with excessive temperatures, humidity, unreliable electrical energy provide and restricted connectivity in distant areas.
He defined that predictive upkeep might assist operators establish potential tools failures earlier than manufacturing disruptions, decreasing unplanned shutdowns and upkeep prices in refineries and gas-processing amenities.
Rex advocated stronger collaboration amongst power operators, engineering companies, regulators, universities, analysis establishments and know-how entrepreneurs to develop and check sensible options.
He urged operators to establish particular technical challenges, present startups with entry to pilot websites and related information, and set up clear pathways for profitable improvements to safe procurement contracts.
He additionally advocated improved entry to seed funding, grants and enterprise capital, alongside mentorship, technical partnerships and regulatory steerage for entrepreneurs growing power applied sciences.
Rex urged engineers to give attention to measurable operational challenges relatively than growing know-how platforms with out clearly outlined prospects or business purposes.
“Pick one problem, not a platform, not a revolution. One problem, one type of customer, one number you can improve,” he mentioned.
Similarly, Mr Felix Ogbe, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), mentioned native content material improvement ought to progress from participation to constructing globally aggressive indigenous enterprises.
Ogbe, represented by Mr Suleiman Ozimede, General Manager, Midstream Monitoring Division, mentioned the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act had expanded indigenous participation throughout a number of trade segments.
He listed engineering, fabrication, marine providers, manufacturing, logistics and knowledge know-how amongst different areas the place Nigerian firms had established a presence.
Ogbe mentioned the subsequent section of native content material improvement required strategic investments in human capital, know-how, innovation and institutional improvement.
He mentioned the NCDMB had supported indigenous firms by means of financing interventions, together with the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund, a revolving mechanism designed to increase help to eligible companies.
Ogbe added that the Nigerian Content International Platform offered financing devices, together with asset acquisition and contract-related financing, to assist firms overcome funding constraints.
He mentioned financing ought to help productive capability, know-how commercialisation, improved effectivity and sustainable job creation relatively than be measured solely by the quantity disbursed.
Ogbe mentioned rising applied sciences had been creating alternatives in predictive upkeep, asset integrity administration, logistics, manufacturing optimisation, security and operational effectivity.
He mentioned the board supported digital expertise improvement in AI, machine studying, information analytics, Python programming and cybersecurity.
Ogbe additional mentioned that NCDMB’s Technology Innovation and Incubation Centre supported know-how analysis, mental property improvement, mentoring and trade linkages.
He urged indigenous firms to export their providers, merchandise and applied sciences to different African markets, citing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a possibility.
Mr Ismaeel Ahmed, Executive Chairman, Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG and EV), referred to as for higher utilisation of Nigeria’s pure gasoline sources.
Ahmed, represented by Omoh Imokhuede, Head of Technical Training and Capacity Development, mentioned investments had been rising throughout the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) worth chain.
He recognized conversion centres, refuelling stations, car deployment, technical coaching and native meeting as areas creating enterprise and employment alternatives.
Ahmed mentioned know-how might enhance infrastructure monitoring, security, fleet administration, efficiency monitoring and funding choices, making the gasoline trade extra environment friendly and accountable.
He referred to as for higher participation by personal traders, researchers, producers, innovators and entrepreneurs in growing Nigeria’s gasoline trade.
Ahmed mentioned the purpose was to translate the nation’s gasoline sources into reasonably priced transportation, new companies and broader financial alternatives.
In a presentation, Dr Stella Okene, Group Chief Executive Officer, Stelog Energy Group Ltd., referred to as for stronger AI-powered engineering capabilities throughout Africa’s power trade.
Okene mentioned African power firms ought to transfer past native contract participation in the direction of know-how possession and globally aggressive engineering experience.
She recognized native information infrastructure, AI-driven manufacturing forecasting, well-performance monitoring, predictive upkeep and geological information evaluation as priorities for bettering competitiveness.
Okene additionally advocated technical coaching, partnerships with know-how suppliers and universities, and regional centres of excellence for analysis, coaching and certification as different areas deserving extra consideration.
She cited Stelog Energy Group’s collaborations with American know-how firms, together with Honeywell, to strengthen AI-enabled wellhead monitoring, predictive upkeep and geological information evaluation for hydrocarbon exploration.
Okene mentioned African firms wanted to construct technical experience and develop regionally related options able to competing in worldwide markets.
NAN reviews that EINGICE 2026 introduced collectively authorities, trade and tutorial stakeholders to debate gasoline improvement, industrialisation and rising power applied sciences. (NAN)
Edited by Uche Anunne
