Lagos State, ACEN Urge Engineers to Adopt AI to Address Nigeria’s Infrastructure Deficit
The Lagos State Government and the Association for Consulting Engineering in Nigeria (ACEN) have called for wider adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in engineering to help address Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit and improve how projects are planned, constructed and maintained.
The call was made at ACEN’s 48th Annual Conference, Annual General Meeting and Dinner, held in Lagos on November 10 and 11, 2026. The conference was themed “Infrastructure Development in the Era of AI: Powering the Nigerian Economy.”
Speaking at the event, ACEN President Kunle Adebajo said Nigeria requires approximately $100 billion in infrastructure investment annually, while its infrastructure deficit is estimated at $2.3 trillion. He added that government spending currently covers less than 30 per cent of the country’s annual infrastructure needs.
Adebajo argued that closing the gap would require more than increased funding. He said improved productivity, better project design, timely delivery and effective long-term maintenance would also be essential.
How AI could improve infrastructure delivery
According to Adebajo, AI tools are already creating opportunities across the engineering sector through generative design, predictive analytics, drones, computer vision and digital twins.
These technologies could help engineers:
Improve project design: Generative design tools can help test multiple options for road layouts and drainage networks in less time.
Detect structural problems: Drones and computer vision can support inspections by identifying cracks, corrosion and other defects.
Predict maintenance needs: Digital twins can help monitor infrastructure such as bridges and dams, providing data that may help identify maintenance requirements before failures occur.
Improve project efficiency: AI-supported analysis and documentation could help engineering firms handle more work with fewer resources.
Adebajo also stressed that AI would not remove the need for professional engineering judgment. Engineers would remain responsible for verifying automated outputs, making decisions and ensuring that projects meet professional standards.
Lagos State highlights opportunities for AI
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Tokunbo Ajanaku of the Lagos State Public Works Corporation, encouraged consulting engineers to embrace AI while maintaining professional competence and accountability.
He said AI could help engineers predict traffic patterns, assess structural conditions, identify potential defects, improve construction safety and plan infrastructure maintenance.
These applications could be particularly useful in Lagos, where high daily movement places significant pressure on roads and other public infrastructure.
However, Sanwo-Olu cautioned that AI cannot compensate for poor project preparation, weak supervision or a lack of professional accountability. He also called for imported technologies to be adapted to Nigeria’s local conditions and for more home-grown engineering solutions to be developed.
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ACEN plans to strengthen responsible AI adoption
Adebajo announced that ACEN would establish a task force on AI and consulting engineering to encourage responsible adoption across the profession.
The association also plans to incorporate AI into its training and continuing professional development programmes. Areas of focus will include confidentiality, verification, professional liability and disclosure to clients.
The broader discussion also highlighted a challenge: AI adoption depends on reliable infrastructure of its own. Data centres and other AI facilities require stable electricity, cooling systems, fibre networks and supporting physical infrastructure.
As Nigeria explores the use of AI in engineering, the technology could support more efficient infrastructure delivery. However, its impact will depend on reliable foundational infrastructure, skilled professionals, responsible implementation and sustained investment.