Energy industry experts are calling for greater investment in Nigerian-developed artificial intelligence
Nigerian energy experts have called for increased investment in locally developed artificial intelligence (AI), automation and engineering technologies to reduce dependence on imported solutions, lower operating costs and strengthen indigenous companies.
The experts made the call at the 2026 Emogas International Natural Gas-Based Industry Conference and Exhibition (EINGICE) in Abuja, where discussions focused on technology commercialisation, local content development and the expansion of Nigeria's gas-based industries.
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They argued that Nigeria has the technical expertise to develop solutions for its energy industry but needs stronger financing, research partnerships and commercial opportunities to turn local innovations into products and services that businesses can use.
The discussions also highlighted the potential for home-grown technology to improve energy infrastructure, support industrial development and create employment for Nigerian engineers and technology entrepreneurs.
Experts Identify AI Opportunities Across Energy Operations
Bassey Rex, Chief Executive Officer of AfricEnergy and Infrastructure Ltd. and founder of Ikwe-Onna Refinery Ltd., said Nigeria needed more indigenous companies capable of developing and commercialising technology rather than relying heavily on imported products and services.
He identified predictive maintenance, pipeline inspection, project management, emissions monitoring and gas distribution as areas where AI, automation, sensors and data analytics could improve operational efficiency.
Predictive maintenance, for example, can help operators identify equipment faults before they disrupt production. This could reduce unplanned shutdowns, maintenance expenses and operational losses in refineries and gas-processing facilities.
Rex also stressed that locally developed technologies must account for Nigeria's operating conditions, including high temperatures, humidity, unreliable electricity supply and limited connectivity in remote locations.
He called for stronger collaboration among energy companies, engineering firms, regulators, universities, research institutions and technology entrepreneurs to develop and test practical solutions.
He also urged engineers and technology businesses to focus on specific operational problems with identifiable customers and measurable commercial benefits rather than developing products without a clear market.
NCDMB Calls for Local Content Beyond Industry Participation
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Felix Ogbe, said Nigeria's local content strategy should progress beyond indigenous participation towards building globally competitive companies.
Represented by Suleiman Ozimede, General Manager of the board's Midstream Monitoring Division, Ogbe said the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act had expanded local participation in engineering, fabrication, marine services, manufacturing, logistics and information technology.
However, he argued that the next phase of development would require greater investment in human capital, technology, innovation and institutional capacity.
The board has supported indigenous businesses through financing initiatives, including the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund, which provides revolving financing for eligible companies.
It has also established the Nigerian Content International Platform to provide financing instruments, including asset acquisition and contract-related financing, to address funding constraints.
Ogbe said the effectiveness of these financing initiatives should be measured by their contribution to productive capacity, technology commercialisation, operational efficiency and sustainable employment.
He also highlighted the NCDMB's Technology Innovation and Incubation Centre, which supports technology evaluation, intellectual property development, mentoring and industry partnerships.
Energy Experts Seek Stronger AI Engineering Capabilities
Stella Okene, Group Chief Executive Officer of Stelog Energy Group Ltd., called for stronger AI-powered engineering capabilities to improve the competitiveness of African energy companies.
She identified local data infrastructure, AI-driven production forecasting, well-performance monitoring, predictive maintenance and geological data analysis as areas requiring greater investment.
Okene also advocated technical training, partnerships with technology providers and universities, and regional centres of excellence for research, training and certification.
She cited Stelog Energy Group's collaborations with American technology companies, including Honeywell, to strengthen AI-enabled wellhead monitoring, predictive maintenance and geological data analysis for hydrocarbon exploration.
Her remarks highlighted the importance of combining international technology partnerships with the development of local engineering expertise.
Gas Investment Could Create Opportunities for Local Technology Businesses
The Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG and EV), Ismaeel Ahmed, called for greater economic utilisation of Nigeria's natural gas resources.
Represented by Omoh Imokhuede, Head of Technical Training and Capacity Development, Ahmed said investments across the compressed natural gas value chain were creating opportunities in vehicle conversion, refuelling infrastructure, vehicle deployment, technical training and local assembly.
He said technology could improve infrastructure monitoring, safety, fleet management and investment decisions, making gas operations more efficient and accountable.
The opportunities extend beyond gas production to the businesses and technical services required to build, operate and maintain the supporting infrastructure.
For Nigerian companies, participation in these areas could create opportunities to develop specialised equipment, software, engineering services and technical expertise.
Local Energy Technology Has Implications for Construction and Housing
The push for indigenous energy technology also has implications for Nigeria's construction and property sectors, particularly as developers and property operators face high energy costs and unreliable electricity supply.
Residential estates, commercial buildings and construction sites increasingly depend on alternative energy systems, including solar installations, gas-powered generators and other distributed energy solutions.
More competitive local engineering and technology businesses could support the design, installation and maintenance of these systems, while reducing some of the costs associated with imported equipment and foreign technical services.
However, local technology development alone will not guarantee cheaper energy for property owners. The cost of imported components, access to financing, manufacturing capacity, infrastructure reliability and the availability of skilled technicians will continue to influence prices.
For the property market, the potential benefit lies in building a stronger domestic energy-services industry capable of supporting more reliable and cost-effective power solutions for residential and commercial developments.
Financing and Commercialisation Remain Key Challenges
The experts identified access to capital, technical partnerships, research support and industry collaboration as important requirements for turning Nigerian innovations into commercially viable products.
Start-ups and indigenous engineering companies need more than research grants. They also require access to operating facilities where they can test products, obtain industry data, demonstrate performance and secure procurement contracts.
The NCDMB's financing and incubation initiatives provide existing channels for supporting local technology businesses, but their impact will depend on how effectively they translate into commercially successful products and expanded industrial capacity.
Rex urged energy operators to provide local innovators with opportunities to solve specific operational problems, while Ogbe called for financing that produces measurable improvements in productivity and local capacity.
The experts also encouraged Nigerian companies to expand beyond the domestic market and export their technologies and services to other African countries, taking advantage of opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
For Nigeria's energy and wider industrial sectors, the challenge is to convert local technical expertise into competitive businesses. Progress in that direction could strengthen domestic supply chains, create skilled employment and support more reliable infrastructure for businesses, households and property developments.
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