By Abbas Nazil
Nigeria is trailing behind in the global race for renewable energy adoption by approximately ten years, according to experts at the IoT West Africa Data Centre, Cloud Expo, Power and Water annual conference held in Lagos.
Ekeinde Ohiwerei, General Manager of Corporate Services at Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), disclosed during a panel session that the country’s energy sector is responsible for emitting 13.3 billion tons of gas annually, underscoring the urgent need for climate action and cleaner energy alternatives.
Ohiwerei, speaking on the panel themed “The Digital Revolution in Oil and Gas – Advancing Efficiency, Automation and Sustainability,” stated that while Nigeria is making efforts to reduce emissions, much more needs to be done.
He identified two critical pathways to addressing the emission crisis: controlling emissions and reducing them outright.
He further noted that serious investments in climate change mitigation strategies, such as exploring gas streams and other alternative resources, are essential for progress.
Highlighting the country’s limited visible progress in renewable energy, Ohiwerei pointed out that even though manufacturing industries are increasingly integrating renewable technologies, the overall impact remains subtle.
However, he emphasized that Nigeria still holds great potential to make significant strides in emission reduction and energy efficiency, especially through smarter electricity management and embedded infrastructure.
The next decade, he said, will be critical in determining the nation’s future in renewable energy and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in sustainability efforts.
Adding to the discussion, Alexey Ushakov, Business Development Manager at Cummins Inc., stressed the importance of controlling emissions as a foundational step in addressing environmental degradation.
Ushakov shared that his company has been implementing an emissions reduction strategy since 2013 and is committed to achieving zero emissions by 2030.
He outlined plans to transition from diesel engines to more sustainable fuels, including Hydrotreated Vegetable Oils (HVOs) and synthetic diesel alternatives, which significantly reduce harmful emissions.
Despite the promising potential of solar panels and battery technologies, Ushakov cautioned that these solutions also pose environmental and logistical challenges in their production.
He advocated for a balanced strategy that combines emission control with the use of sustainable fuels.
He also emphasized the critical role of data analytics and big data in developing and refining emission reduction strategies.
Other industry experts echoed the importance of embracing digital technologies to drive efficiency, cost reduction, and sustainability across sectors.
The consensus was clear: leveraging AI, data analytics, and collaborative innovation is vital for shaping a cleaner, more sustainable future for Nigeria’s energy sector and beyond.