Don mulls AI to tackle Nigeria's energy crisis
Professor Adetunji Haastrup, a public analyst has mooted the idea of adopting artificial intelligence to tackle the perennial power cuts afflicting the nation. Haastrup, who is an International Council Member
Professor Adetunji Haastrup, a public analyst has mooted the idea of adopting artificial intelligence to tackle the perennial power cuts afflicting the nation.
Haastrup, who is an International Council Member of Harvard University Publishing in USA said Nigeria should adopt the Dubai strategy to solve its electricity challenges.
According to him, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) utilises Artificial Intelligence (AI) and smart grids for automatic, 24-hour monitoring and restoration of power.
The don who argued that the plan by the Aso Rock Villa to exit the National Electricity Grid very soon following the completion of its solar power project is viewed as a betrayal to the masses who feel abandoned to bear the brunt of persistent grid collapses and epileptic power supply.
The 2025 New York Global Leadership Award Winner and a 2021 Global Ambassador in Management, further revealed that presently, Nigeria leads the league of African nations with erratic power supply based on a massive supply-demand gap, with an estimated demand exceeding 98,000 MW, yet an operational capacity often below 5,000 MW, leading to frequent grid collapses and reliance on generators.
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Despite privatisation in 2013, the sector is plagued by weak infrastructure, gas supply shortages, and financial deficits, with roughly 80% of power generated from thermal plants.
Ironically many African countries including Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Seychelles, Mauritius, Cape Verde, Gabon, South Africa, Ghana, Senegal, Botswana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, enjoy steady power supply, he stressed.
Waxing philosophical, he said, "The first function in God's creation was light, which is viewed as the foundation of any sustainable development.
"Ironically Nigeria (Giant of Africa) is approaching giant strides of development with poor electricity. What a strategy."
He therefore advised that politicians aspiring for leadership in 2027 to as a matter of necessity, should place electricity as priority in their campaigns and delivery. "Citizens should also play their part by ensuring that politicians must fulfill their campaign promises. Governance is pragmatic and practical. A leader must be proactive rather than being reactive. Leadership and followership is complimentary, and mutual."
