Nigeria’s power sector is seeing a digital shift as the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, NDPHC adopts AI and Machine Learning to prevent equipment failures before they happen, the company’s CEO, Jennifer Adighije, has said
Adighije disclosed this during an engagement with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, NESG, at the weekend.
She said NDPHC has integrated AI-powered predictive maintenance systems that allow engineers and plant operators to detect potential faults early.
She explained that the proactive approach helps the company prevent unexpected breakdowns, reduce forced outages, and minimize maintenance-related costs.
She noted that the deployment of AI tools marks a major shift in operational strategy, moving from traditional maintenance models to more intelligent, data-driven systems capable of improving decision-making in real time.
“We have moved beyond preventive maintenance to predictive maintenance,” Adighije said.
She explained that unlike preventive maintenance, which relies on scheduled servicing regardless of equipment condition, predictive maintenance uses real-time data analytics, machine learning algorithms, and sensor-based monitoring to assess equipment health and forecast faults with greater precision.
This technological transition is particularly significant for NDPHC’s fleet of gas-fired turbines and associated balance-of-plant systems, where equipment reliability directly impacts plant output and grid stability.
Adighije emphasized that this innovation is helping NDPHC optimize plant availability, improve generation efficiency, and strengthen the reliability of electricity supply to consumers across the country.
She further stated that as Nigeria continues to modernize its energy infrastructure, the role of emerging technologies such as AI, automation, and digital analytics will become increasingly critical in addressing long-standing challenges in the power sector, including inadequate generation, transmission bottlenecks, technical losses, and system instability.
She reaffirmed that innovation will remain central to NDPHC’s strategy as the company seeks to deliver more efficient, reliable, and sustainable electricity generation in line with national development goals.
She noted that for a country with rising electricity demand and an expanding industrial base, technology adoption is no longer optional but essential to ensuring stable and affordable power supply.
According to her, AI is rapidly becoming one of the most powerful tools for driving the next phase of growth and modernization in Nigeria’s electricity sector.