Engineers Urge Power Infrastructure Reforms for Digital Economy

Engineers have raised alarms regarding Nigeria's ageing electricity infrastructure, weak investment, and increasing energy demands from digital technologies, which pose significant threats to the country's digital economy, industrial growth, and competitiveness. This warning was articulated at the 22nd International Conference and Exhibition on Power and Telecommunications (ICEPT 2026), organized by the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (NIEEE) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Dr Manaseh Shitta, the Acting Director for National Energy Efficiency at the Energy Commission of Nigeria, delivered the keynote address on behalf of Dr Abdullahi Mustapha. He stressed the urgent need to modernize electricity infrastructure to meet the demands of an increasingly digital economy, highlighting challenges such as rising electricity demand, cybersecurity threats, and inadequate investment.

Shitta called for collaboration among engineers, energy companies, investors, and policymakers to attract investment and develop regulatory frameworks that support digital innovation while ensuring cybersecurity. Senator John Enoh, represented by Mr Itoro Johnson, noted that reliable electricity and digital technology are crucial for Nigeria's industrialization drive.