In a strategic move to modernize the nation’s energy landscape, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) have announced a collaboration to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and robotics into energy operations.
During a recent meeting between the two organizations, NITDA Director General Kashifu Inuwa challenged the traditional status quo, urging the NNPC to pivot from a mindset of simply exploiting natural resources to exploring the vast potential of digital technology.
Inuwa emphasized that IT is no longer just a support tool but a critical enabler for various industry goals, serving to improve operational efficiency by streamlining upstream and downstream processes.
“IT promotes sustainability by reducing the environmental footprint of energy production, supports digital sovereignty by developing indigenous tech solutions to reduce reliance on foreign providers,” he said.
One of the most ambitious aspects of this partnership is the plan to link the NNPC with Nigeria’s vibrant startup ecosystem. NITDA aims to create a pipeline where local innovators can solve industry-specific problems through several key initiatives. They will offer incubation programs to provide a sandbox for energy-focused technology. They also plan to host innovation challenges that task young Nigerians, including NYSC members, with solving real-world oil and gas hurdles. Furthermore, they will leverage the Startup Act and existing legal frameworks to scale small tech ventures into commercially viable energy partners.
Representing the NNPC, Olatomiwa Olaniyi, Director of Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI), noted that the visit was centered on co-creation, explaining that the RTI unit’s goal is to apply a structured innovation framework across all business areas, including gas, power, and new energy to boost revenue and operational excellence.
“Collaboration among government agencies, industry players, and the technological ecosystem is critical to achieving sustainable innovation,” Olatomiwa Olaniyi noted.
This partnership signals a departure from “business as usual” for Nigeria’s energy sector. By combining NITDA’s digital expertise with NNPC’s industrial scale, the two agencies hope to transform the energy value chain into a more efficient, diversified, and tech-driven powerhouse.