Nigeria is positioning itself to lead Africa’s infrastructure and cooling market as industry leaders highlight new opportunities driven by rapid population growth and urbanisation.

At the inaugural West Africa Infrastructure Expo 2026, held alongside HVACR Nigeria, stakeholders from the public and private sectors gathered to address the country’s infrastructure needs, from transport and energy to climate control systems.

Speaking at the event, Josine Heijmans, Senior Vice President at dmg events, said Nigeria’s scale presents both a challenge and an opportunity.

“Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy, has a rapidly growing population, creating massive demand for infrastructure, housing and cooling solutions,” she said.

Why it matters

With over 241 million people and rising urban expansion, demand for cooling systems and sustainable buildings is accelerating.

Industry data shared at the summit shows Africa’s HVAC market was valued at $2.6bn in 2023 and is projected to reach $5.6bn within a decade with Nigeria leading in imports.

Heijmans said the expo goes beyond attracting investment, focusing instead on ensuring projects are delivered.

“It’s about moving from funding to actual execution and completion,” she added.

BIM technology reshaping engineering processes

A major highlight of the summit was the role of digital engineering tools in improving project efficiency.

Adedayo Adebimpe, Principal Project Director at View Scope Engineering, said Building Information Modelling (BIM) is transforming how engineers design and deliver projects.

He described BIM as a system that creates digital building assets and enables collaboration across disciplines.

“The most critical aspect of BIM is the information it provides,” he said.

Faster, smarter cooling design

Adebimpe explained that BIM allows engineers to extract accurate building data directly from architectural models, significantly reducing manual work.

Cooling load calculations, which traditionally take up to five days, can now be completed much faster using integrated systems.

This improves both speed and accuracy, while reducing human error.

GBXML enables seamless collaboration

Central to this process is Green Building XML (GBXML), which allows data sharing between architects and engineers.

The system transfers building elements such as walls, roofs, and spaces into analysis software, eliminating repetitive calculations.

“Spaces are the most important element, they carry the data needed for proper analysis,” Adebimpe noted.

However, he warned that results depend on the quality of the original digital model.

“Garbage in, garbage out.”

Rethinking cooling in Nigeria

Energy efficiency was another key focus, with experts calling for a shift in how cooling systems are designed.

Sathish Selvary, Country Manager at Thermax Limited, said Nigeria’s unstable power supply has made energy costs unpredictable.

He noted that most facilities rely on self-generated power, increasing operational expenses.

Waste heat offers new solution

Selvary highlighted waste heat recovery as an untapped resource in Nigeria’s industrial sector.

He said generators produce large amounts of heat that can be converted into cooling energy.

“A one-megawatt generator can produce up to 300 tons of cooling capacity if properly utilised,” he explained.

Absorption technology cuts energy costs

The use of absorption chillers systems powered by heat instead of electricity was identified as a game changer.

These system;

Reduce electricity use by up to 90%

Have minimal moving parts

Deliver reliable cooling for industries and data centres

Selvary said the technology has already been deployed globally and in Nigeria, with proven cost savings.

Financial and industrial impact

Companies adopting waste heat recovery systems are already seeing significant savings.

According to Selvary, a one-megawatt facility could save up to $200,000 annually, while firms in Lagos Freezone are reducing power consumption by over 600kW per hour.

He added that the technology also improves energy efficiency in data centres by lowering Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE).

Skills gap still threatens progress

Despite technological advances, experts warned that Nigeria’s engineering workforce remains a major constraint.

Panelists including Eng. Patricia Odili, Eng. Olu Ogunduyile of Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, and Eng. Oludayo Oluyemi of the Nigerian Society of Engineers said universities still focus heavily on theory.

This leaves graduates unprepared for practical work, with many abandoning engineering careers altogether.

Industry calls for training reform

Speakers called for stronger collaboration between academia, industry, and agencies such as the Industrial Training Fund.

They recommended:

Expanded internship programmes through NYSC

Private-sector-led training initiatives

Continuous professional development for engineers

Some firms are already running multi-year training programmes combining site work, design, and project management.

Infrastructure delivery challenges persist

Eng. Valerie Agberagba highlighted broader systemic issues affecting infrastructure development.

She said financing gaps, poor coordination between government levels, and weak project oversight continue to delay progress.

“There are communication breakdowns between federal and state authorities, and it affects execution,” she said.

She also stressed the need for Nigeria to explore domestic funding sources rather than relying heavily on foreign investment.

What’s next

Stakeholders said Nigeria must combine innovation with policy reform to unlock its infrastructure potential.

They emphasised the need for:

Adoption of digital tools like BIM

Integration of energy-efficient technologies

Stronger regulatory enforcement

Continuous training and exposure for engineers

The summit concluded that collaboration between government, industry, and academia will be key to delivering sustainable infrastructure.

Wema Bank has introduced a new jingle to mark the next phase of its digital banking platform, ALAT, as it pushes deeper into innovation and customer-focused services.

The bank says the “ALAT: The Evolution” jingle reflects a smarter, faster, and more seamless banking experience for users.

What the new jingle represents

According to the bank, the jingle is “bright, catchy, and full of life,” designed to mirror the upgraded capabilities of the ALAT platform.

It forms part of a broader refresh of the app, which now includes features such as voice banking, contactless payments, and improved system reliability.

“The jingle reflects a platform built to simply work, pairing sound with innovation.”

The bank says each feature is embedded in the rhythm of the sound, reinforcing its message of speed, convenience, and reliability.

Why it matters

Digital banking adoption is rising rapidly in Nigeria, driven by mobile penetration and demand for faster financial services.

For many users, traditional banking processes can be slow or complex, often involving multiple steps and delays.

Wema Bank says the new jingle aims to “reimagine that experience” by presenting banking as simple, intuitive, and stress-free.

Short, engaging audio branding is also becoming a key tool for financial institutions competing for attention in a crowded digital market.

Features behind ‘ALAT: The Evolution’

The refreshed ALAT platform introduces several enhancements, including:

Voice banking functionality

Tap-and-pay transactions

Bank uptime prediction tools

Improved user interface and speed

The bank says these upgrades are designed to make banking more responsive and aligned with everyday needs.

Industry perspective

Analysts say Nigerian banks are increasingly investing in branding and user experience as competition intensifies in the fintech and digital banking space.

Audio branding, such as jingles, helps reinforce product identity and can improve recall among younger, mobile-first users.

What’s next

Wema Bank says the jingle signals a broader shift beyond technology upgrades.

It describes the move as part of its ambition to reshape how customers “feel” about banking — making it more natural, accessible, and engaging.

Customers are encouraged to update their apps to experience the new features tied to ALAT: The Evolution.

A multi-agency security training programme focused on drones and artificial intelligence has drawn praise from participants in Lagos, as officers call for urgent government support to modernise Nigeria’s security operations.

The two-day “Drone & Intelligence Training for Security Personnel,” held at the Police Training College Ikeja, brought together security agencies, experts and stakeholders to explore how emerging technologies can improve crime prevention.

Organised by Societal Concerns Organization in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the programme aimed to strengthen intelligence gathering and inter-agency cooperation.

Why it matters

Nigeria continues to face complex security challenges, from banditry to urban crime, pushing authorities to explore technology-driven solutions.

Participants said the training highlights a shift from reactive policing to proactive strategies using drones and AI to detect threats before they escalate.

“Prevention is cheaper and easier than cure,” one participant said, stressing the need to stay ahead of increasingly tech-savvy criminals.

‘Beautiful and fantastic’ training but gaps remain

Speaking to journalists, DC Adewale Adedola Adeleke of the Lagos State Special Task Force for the Nigeria Forest Security Service described the programme as impactful.

“This training is beautiful and fantastic. It will help us carry out our duties both in the forest and in the cities,” he said.

However, he raised concerns about operational challenges.

He cited lack of mobility, absence of official patrol vehicles, and insufficient equipment including drones as major setbacks.

“We don’t have operational vehicles. Officers use their personal cars for patrols. We need drones and support to perform better,” he added.

He also highlighted regional disparities, noting that some northern states are better equipped with rifles and dozens of operational vehicles.

Technology reshaping policing strategy

ACP Barrister Ajanaku Ibrahim Kayode of the Advanced Training Wing at the college said the programme reflects a shift in policing philosophy.

“We are moving from reactive policing to proactive policing — preventing crimes before they occur,” he said.

He explained that participants were trained in drone operations, intelligence gathering, and community policing strategies.

The programme also emphasised collaboration among agencies.

“All security agencies share the same goal — protecting lives and property,” he added.

Call for wider adoption and support

Prince Hammed Adeyinka Yusuf, Secretary to Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA Chairman, described the initiative as timely and necessary.

“This programme is apt and applaudable. It is essential for building the capacity of our security personnel,” he said.

He urged wider publicity and adoption, noting that its benefits extend beyond participants to society at large.

Rare inter-agency collaboration

Ambassador Samuel, representing the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), said the programme marked a rare moment of unity across Nigeria’s security architecture.

According to him, more than 15 enforcement agencies participated.

“This is unprecedented. Bringing agencies together to learn intelligence and drone operations will help save lives,” he said.

He warned that criminals are increasingly using advanced technologies, making it critical for security forces to adapt.

Government, private sector urged to act

Speakers repeatedly called on federal and state governments to prioritise funding for security technology.

They also urged corporate organisations to support such initiatives through corporate social responsibility programmes.

“We need government and even presidential support to scale this initiative nationwide,” Ambassador Samuel added.

What’s next

Organisers say they plan to expand the programme and engage international partners, including UN bodies, to deepen capacity building across Nigeria.

Participants also pledged to apply the knowledge gained to improve intelligence-led operations in their respective agencies.