Port Harcourt:The President of the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NIEEE), Dr. Felix Adeboye, has called on engineers to leverage digital technologies to accelerate Nigeria’s energy transition, enhance electricity access, and strengthen telecommunications infrastructure.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Adeboye made this appeal during the 22nd International Conference and Exhibition on Power and Telecommunications (ICEPT 2026) held in Port Harcourt. He emphasized the relevance of the conference theme, ‘Energy Transition in the Digital Era The Nexus, Challenges and Opportunities,’ and highlighted the event as a platform for knowledge exchange, innovation, and professional networking.
Dr. Adeboye pointed out that emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, the Internet of Things, digital twins, and advanced communication networks are revolutionizing energy generation, transmission, distribution, and consumption. He stressed the need for solutions tailored to Nigeria’s context to improve grid resilience, integrate renewable energy, reduce technical and commercial losses, and attract investment.
The NIEEE president also introduced a dedicated NIEEE Fellows Assembly at the conference, focusing on the impact of AI on engineering practice and the associated ethical, safety, and regulatory challenges. He encouraged participants to convert the knowledge gained at the conference into practical technologies, stronger industry-academia partnerships, and sustainable engineering solutions.
Meanwhile, Dr. Mustafa Abdullahi, Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, represented by Dr. Manasseh Sheeta, emphasized the necessity of integrating digital technology into Nigeria’s energy system. He outlined the transformation of the traditional centralized energy system into a decentralized network and the critical role of digital technology in managing this new energy landscape.
Challenges such as rising electricity demand, cybersecurity threats, and inadequate infrastructure were also acknowledged. Additionally, Amahule Owabie, the traditional ruler of Nyenwele Rumueprikom Kingdom, praised NIEEE for its role in Nigeria’s digital transformation in the energy sector, expressing optimism about the conference’s impact on community support for power sector development.