Pestra's Managing Director, Paul Nwokolo, has emphasized the need for stronger technology integration to address fire and life-safety challenges in Nigeria's built environment. Speaking at the fourth edition of Pestra Tech Day in Lagos, Nwokolo highlighted the importance of intelligent systems capable of detecting threats early, supporting rapid response, and improving overall resilience. The event brought together technology manufacturers, consultants, system integrators, contractors, regulators, and end-users to examine practical applications of technology in safety, security, and communications.
The Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, S.A. Olumode, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the need for a fundamental shift from reacting to fire incidents to preventing them through proper planning, technology, enforcement, and professional competence. Olumode stressed that fire safety should be considered from the earliest stages of building design and construction, rather than introduced after a facility has been completed. He also highlighted the importance of effective fire detection and alarm systems, appropriate fire protection installations, regular inspection and maintenance, and compliance with relevant standards and regulations.
Hanwha Vision's Regional Manager for Africa, Abbassy Omar, discussed the growing role of artificial intelligence in security operations, highlighting advances in intelligent video surveillance, video analytics, license plate recognition, and thermal imaging. Omar noted that the increasing sophistication of surveillance technologies was enabling organizations to move from simply recording security incidents to identifying potential threats and providing actionable information for faster response.
The event also examined the cybersecurity implications of increasingly connected buildings. Specialist Adoption Architect at Red Hat, Francis Anyaegbu, presented on "Intelligent Security & the Quantum Challenge," highlighting the risks associated with connected devices and the need for stronger AI governance. Anyaegbu noted that data breaches now cost organizations an average of $5 million per incident, with exposure increasing by about $1,100 for every hour an adversary remained undetected.
Anyaegbu also cited a 1,500 percent surge in deepfakes and the growing spread of unmonitored "Shadow AI," warning that organizations must strengthen their ability to monitor and govern artificial intelligence systems deployed across their operations. He advocated for open, quantum-safe architectures built around digital trust, machine-speed defense, and stronger visibility over connected devices and automated AI agents.
Senior Territory Manager at Honeywell Technologies, Ziad Hafez, highlighted developments in Honeywell's life-safety portfolio, including advanced fire detection, intelligent alarm systems, and connected solutions designed to support earlier warning and faster emergency response. Hafez also highlighted Honeywell's collaboration with Pestra, which provides consultants, system integrators, and end-users in Nigeria with access to Honeywell fire, life-safety, and security technologies through a local channel.
The Pestra Tech Day event aimed to bring industry stakeholders together to examine practical applications of technology in safety, security, and communications. Nwokolo emphasized that the event was not conceived merely as a platform for showcasing products, but as an opportunity for industry stakeholders to examine how emerging technologies could be adapted to Nigeria's peculiar challenges. The event provided a platform for experts to share knowledge and best practices in fire safety and security.
Key points
- Pestra's Managing Director, Paul Nwokolo, calls for stronger technology integration to address fire and life-safety challenges in Nigeria's built environment.
- The event highlighted the importance of artificial intelligence in security operations and the need for stronger AI governance.
- Experts emphasized the need for a fundamental shift from reacting to fire incidents to preventing them through proper planning, technology, enforcement, and professional competence.
