The Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (NIEEE) has honoured Simon Utsu with a Special Appreciation Award in recognition of his contributions to engineering development and Nigeria’s evolving energy sector.

The award followed his participation as a resource person at the institute’s National Continuing Professional Development webinar, where he delivered a presentation on the role of automation and digital technologies in transforming Nigeria’s electricity industry.

His paper, titled Instrumentation and Automation for Nigeria’s Energy Transition: Integrating SCADA with Renewable and Off-Grid Power Systems, was presented during the webinar held on 23 May 2026.

The virtual event brought together engineers, academics, researchers, policymakers and industry stakeholders to examine the use of emerging technologies in strengthening Nigeria’s energy infrastructure.

Currently pursuing a PhD in zero-carbon technologies in the United Kingdom, Utsu holds a Master’s degree in Control Systems Engineering from the University of Sheffield. He previously served as Lead Engineer for Instrumentation and Automation Quality Control at Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals, where he contributed to the delivery of one of Africa’s largest industrial projects.

During his presentation, he examined the challenges facing Nigeria’s electricity sector and highlighted how instrumentation, control and automation technologies can support the development of a more reliable, efficient and sustainable power system.

He emphasised the importance of engineering-led solutions in addressing Nigeria’s electricity deficit, pointing to the growing role of instrumentation and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems in improving energy management.

The presentation also explored the integration of renewable energy with intelligent automation, the application of SCADA technology in off-grid and hybrid electricity systems, and emerging technologies such as triboelectric nanogenerators, which are being developed for future energy-harvesting applications.

According to Utsu, achieving a more resilient electricity sector will require greater adoption of digital technologies, sound engineering practices and supportive policy frameworks capable of accelerating Nigeria’s transition to cleaner and smarter energy systems.

Drawing on his experience at the Dangote Refinery, he shared practical insights into the delivery of large-scale industrial automation projects, including the installation and commissioning of more than 2,500 instrumentation devices alongside Distributed Control Systems, Programmable Logic Controllers, Safety Instrumented Systems, Fire and Gas systems, telecommunications infrastructure, fieldbus networks, loop testing and quality assurance processes implemented in accordance with international engineering standards.

He noted that modern SCADA platforms remain essential for improving grid reliability, enabling remote monitoring, supporting the integration of renewable energy sources and expanding electricity access to underserved communities.

Presenting the award, the NIEEE commended Utsu for his technical expertise, commitment to professional excellence and contributions to engineering education and sustainable energy development.

The institute said the recognition reflects his growing impact in instrumentation, automation, smart energy systems and engineering research, while reaffirming its commitment to promoting continuous professional development and encouraging innovations that support Nigeria’s transition to a more resilient electricity sector.