Olaoluwa Adeleke, a Nigerian PhD scholar in power system studies, has urged the government and stakeholders to prioritise renewable energy and digital infrastructure as part of efforts to accelerate Nigeria’s transition towards smart cities.
Adeleke made the call during an interview with The Guardian on Wednesday in Lagos, stressing that Nigeria could bypass years of infrastructure deficit by adopting technology-driven solutions already used in advanced economies such as the United States and Singapore.
He said Nigeria does not need to repeat the development challenges of older economies, adding that “we can skip decades of slow infrastructure development by going digital and integrating smart technologies into our cities.”
Adeleke, whose research focuses on renewable energy, power system stability, microgrids, and robotics, noted that Nigeria, one of Africa’s most outage-prone countries, could benefit from Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled smart grids capable of detecting and correcting faults automatically.
He explained that adopting smart water networks and advanced monitoring systems would help improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance urban resource management, aligning with the national goal of building sustainable and resilient cities.
According to him, renewable energy remains the foundation of smart city development. With only about 55 per cent grid access nationwide, he said Nigeria must increase investment in solar microgrids and smart metering technologies. “Renewable energy is not an option; it is the backbone of any smart city project. Without clean and stable power, there can be no genuine progress in digital transformation,” he said.
Adeleke added that adopting such technologies could reduce reliance on generators, lower carbon emissions, and save part of the estimated 29 billion dollars lost annually to power instability across major sectors.
On transport, he identified urban mobility inefficiency, especially in Lagos, as a major economic burden. He said the deployment of artificial intelligence-driven traffic lights, GPS-equipped buses, and predictive transport software could ease congestion and improve movement. “Cities like Singapore and Barcelona have shown that smart mobility is achievable when data, automation, and real-time monitoring are combined. Nigeria can replicate that model with local innovation,” he said.
He also emphasised the importance of smart governance, calling for the creation of digital platforms that enable citizens to report service outages, track responses, and take part in public decision-making processes. “A truly smart city must be people-centred. Technology should empower citizens to hold leaders accountable, improve transparency, and strengthen service delivery at all levels,” he said.
The scholar warned that the growing dependence on digital systems could expose Nigeria to cyber threats, including ransomware and data breaches. He called for stronger cybersecurity frameworks and specialised training for government and energy sector workers.
He said blockchain-based data protection systems could improve security, transparency, and control over access to sensitive information within Nigeria’s emerging digital and energy infrastructure.
Adeleke further proposed extending smart city solutions to rural areas through initiatives such as solar microgrids, telemedicine, and IoT-based agricultural systems to enhance power access, healthcare, and food production. “Smart cities must not exclude rural areas. With solar microgrids, smart farming, and telemedicine, we can create inclusive development that bridges the rural–urban divide,” he said.
He identified financing gaps, weak connectivity, and low awareness as major obstacles and recommended stronger public–private partnerships, satellite broadband expansion, and community education to improve access to digital and energy systems.
Adeleke also urged greater collaboration with international organisations such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, and technology firms like Huawei to secure funding, technical expertise, and knowledge transfer.
He said the effective implementation of smart city projects could save up to 30 per cent in energy losses, create new jobs in ICT and renewable energy, and strengthen national security through better data-driven systems.
“Smart cities are not only about technology but about creating sustainable, inclusive, and resilient communities powered by clean energy and guided by innovation,” he said.
