Nigeria Needs Total Digital Transformation Of Electricity Sector — Attueyi

A leading expert in enterprise information technology and transformation, JP Attueyi, has called for a comprehensive digital overhaul of Nigeria’s electricity sector to unlock economic growth and efficiency.

Attueyi, who led the digital transformation at Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), stated that Nigeria’s economy could only achieve sustainable growth if the power sector fully adopted modern digital technologies to enhance efficiency, customer satisfaction, and revenue generation.

Speaking during a recent industry panel session, Attueyi explained that Nigeria’s path to industrial and economic transformation depended on how quickly it could modernise its electricity infrastructure through technology-driven solutions.

He said the World Bank’s digital economy initiative represented a “timely and strategic intervention” that could accelerate Africa’s competitiveness. Nigeria is positioned to lead due to its youthful population and expanding tech ecosystem.

“Nigeria must accelerate progress across five key pillars of the digital economy — digital infrastructure, digital platforms, digital financial services, digital entrepreneurship, and digital skills,” Attueyi said.

According to him, while Nigeria has immense potential for development, its electricity deficit remains a critical challenge. Over 85 million Nigerians — representing approximately 36 per cent of the population — still lack access to grid electricity, making Nigeria one of the countries with the most significant energy access gaps globally.

He emphasised that the growing population, projected to exceed 377 million by 2050, would continue to pressure electricity demand, underscoring the urgency of modernisation and digital transformation in the sector.

Attueyi noted that the future of Nigeria’s economy — anchored in sectors such as technology, manufacturing, agritech, and data services — depends on a stable and reliable power supply. Despite having a smaller population, he described the nation’s current electricity output of about 4,500MW as grossly inadequate compared to Egypt’s 38,000MW.

“Distribution companies must become far more efficient to meet rising demand and support emerging sectors. This is only possible through modern, intelligent technologies,” he said.

He added that Nigeria’s energy reforms, including the N700 billion Presidential Metering Initiative and the World Bank-funded plan to install 4.3 million meters by 2025, were significant steps toward digital transformation, aiming to improve supply, billing accuracy, and customer satisfaction.

Attueyi identified innovative grid development as a critical next step for Nigeria. According to him, this will enable efficient power distribution, renewable energy integration, and grid flexibility, empowering consumers through real-time energy data and demand-response systems.

On Nigeria’s electricity market structure, Attueyi said the country’s 11 distribution companies (Discos), though unique in Africa, presented both opportunities and challenges. While decentralisation allows for innovation and regional specialisation, it has also created operational silos and inequitable service delivery.

“This is where technology becomes essential. Smart grid systems and integrated commercial management platforms can bring efficiency and coordination to a fragmented sector,” he said.