By Esther Onyegbula

A data scientist and renewable energy professional, Daniel Damilare Ezekiel, has called for urgent investment in data-driven solar systems and youth-centred tech policies, insisting that Nigeria’s future stability depends on how quickly it integrates technology with energy planning.

Ezekiel, who spoke against the backdrop of Nigeria’s lingering electricity shortages and an overstretched national grid, said during a press briefing in Lagos that a strategic blend of renewable energy and data science could provide the sustainable solutions the country desperately needs.

He said that renewable energy and data analytics “complement each other perfectly,” adding that predictive modelling, Internet-of-Things (IoT) sensors, and machine learning can significantly boost power reliability, reduce downtime, and expand access to underserved communities.

“With the help of data analytics, we can optimise solar energy generation, predict demand patterns and even detect potential faults before they cause system failures,” he said.

Ezekiel, who has worked across data science and solar technology for more than a decade, said integrating solar installations with real-time data monitoring could make rural mini-grid and off-grid projects more sustainable and scalable.

Drawing from a project he executed with Perfect Seven Solar, he explained that analysing energy consumption and inverter performance across multiple sites revealed inefficiencies that were draining power.

“The results were eye-opening,” he said. “We discovered inefficiencies causing unnecessary energy losses. Once we addressed them, we improved energy allocation, reduced costs, and boosted client satisfaction.”

He stressed that data-driven insights must translate into practical decisions that deliver real-world impact, especially in a country where millions still lack reliable electricity.

Ezekiel, who holds a master’s degree in Data Science from the University of Sunderland, attributed his progress to constant learning, curiosity, and community engagement. He said staying relevant in the fast-moving tech sector requires consistency, collaboration, and openness to new ideas.

On the constraints facing young Nigerians in technology fields, he identified lack of access, weak digital infrastructure, and insufficient mentorship as major barriers.

“There’s no shortage of talent among Nigerian youths, what’s often missing is access and opportunity,” he said. “Many have the creativity but lack digital tools, quality education or proper mentorship.”

He urged policymakers to modernise school curricula, improve digital literacy, expand broadband access, and establish innovation hubs that can support young tech innovators. Stronger public, private partnerships, he argued, would help bridge the gap between academic training and industry demands.

According to him, Nigeria must create an enabling environment that allows youthful creativity to translate into national development.

“Nigeria’s young people are among the most innovative in the world,” he said. “What’s needed is a stronger framework to turn that creativity into scalable impact.”

He emphasised increased startup funding, improved digital infrastructure, and practical technical education as vital investments that could transform Nigeria from a technology consumer to a global innovator.

Beyond his technical work, Ezekiel is involved in mentorship and workshops aimed at empowering young professionals, insisting that knowledge transfer is central to long-term national growth.

“The best way to sustain growth in any field is through knowledge transfer. My goal is to inspire the next generation to not just adopt these technologies, but to push them further.”

With the country battling rising energy deficits and high youth unemployment, Ezekiel maintained that Nigeria’s future lies in innovation powered by data, driven by youth, and strengthened by policy.