By Chidiebere Onyemaizu
As Anambra State grapples with one of Nigeria’s most devastating ecological challenges, a new voice is emerging from the tech community with innovative solutions. Jude Nwafor, a software engineer specialising in artificial intelligence technology, believes the answer to state’s erosion crisis does not lie in traditional approaches alone, but also in the deployment of technology and political will.
In this interview with Daily Sun, Nwafor explains how artificial intelligence can improve erosion control in the state, while urging both federal and state governments to leave partisan politics and embrace a tech-driven approach to save Anambra from its ecological nightmare.
The erosion menace in Anambra State appears to have defied successive state and federal government efforts. What do you think is the way out of this monumental ecological problem?
Political will and technology—not politics and political rhetoric—are the two potent weapons needed to effectively combat Anambra’s ecological problem. Over the years, the erosion menace has been exploited by politicians as a campaign issue, resulting in empty talks and motion without movement while the erosion problem remains a hydra-headed monster affecting the socio-economic and environmental wellbeing of the state.
Anambra, renowned for its vibrant markets and fertile farmland, faces a growing threat: severe gully erosion carving deep trenches into roads, farms, and homes. While traditional engineering solutions like retaining walls and drainage channels help slow the damage, they’re insufficient. Putting politics aside, the Nigerian government can now use artificial intelligence to see, predict and stop erosion before it starts.
How can non-experts recognize signs of erosion?
Erosion occurs when wind or water washes away soil. In parts of Anambra, heavy rains funnel into small valleys, turning them into fast-flowing streams that cut into sloping land. Over time, these streams widen into gullies tens of meters deep, destroying crops, undermining roads, and even swallowing houses. Early warning signs include small cracks in the ground, changes in soil color, water pooling in unusual areas, and gradual changes in land elevation.
Assuming the political will exists to act, how exactly can AI be deployed to combat erosion?
Think of AI as a super-smart assistant that learns patterns from vast amounts of information. Just as a child learns to identify shapes by examining many pictures, AI analyzes satellite images, weather data, and ground measurements to understand where erosion is likely to occur. It can then warn engineers and community leaders to act early, transforming reactive responses into proactive prevention.
In what specific ways can AI fight erosion?
There are five primary ways AI can combat erosion when properly deployed. Early Warning with Satellite Eyes: AI agents scan daily satellite photos of Anambra’s hills and fields. When the system detects new cracks or changes in land color, it alerts authorities. Officials can then inspect those locations and build small diversion channels before full-blown gullies appear.
Rain-to-Risk Forecasting: By combining weather forecasts with soil-moisture data, AI predicts which areas will become dangerously saturated after heavy rains. Farmers and road crews receive SMS alerts warning them when specific hillsides might flood, enabling preventive action.
Another way is optimised reforestation planning. With this, AI analyses soil type, slope, and rainfall patterns to recommend exactly where to plant trees and grass for maximum soil retention. Tree roots hold soil in place, and strategic planting makes greening efforts 50-70% more effective than random planting.
There is also drone-Based Inspection where small drones equipped with cameras fly over erosion-prone zones while AI software stitches images into 3D maps, flagging areas where land is shifting. This gives engineers a bird’s-eye view without hiking into remote gullies, saving time and spotting hidden problems early.
There is smart road-maintenance scheduling where AI models combine traffic data, erosion risk, and repair costs to suggest optimal timing and locations for road repairs. Rather than waiting for roads to collapse, maintenance crews can reinforce weak spots before damage becomes expensive.
What challenges do you envisage in tackling Anambra’s erosion using these technologies?
Beyond the lack of political will among our leaders, I foresee several challenges: Data gaps due to scarce reliable weather stations and soil sensors, technical training needs for local engineers to use AI tools effectively, and community buy-in requirements for farmers and town planners to trust and help maintain AI-recommended preventive structures.
To overcome these hurdles, I recommend a three-step approach: First, invest in low-cost sensors and strengthen partnerships with space agencies for free satellite data. Second, train local government staff and community volunteers in basic AI-tool operation. Third, mobilize young tech entrepreneurs and universities to develop homegrown AI solutions tailored to Anambra’s unique terrain.
What advice do you have for state and federal governments regarding Anambra’s ecological challenges?
Putting politics and partisan interests aside, the federal and Anambra state governments should work synergistically to face these ecological challenges squarely. I’m encouraged that President Bola Tinubu made promises regarding this during his recent visit to the state. My fervent prayer is that these promises be urgently translated into reality because Anambra is gradually being swallowed by erosion. Urgent action is needed now.
We must remember that as climate change brings heavier rains, the gully-erosion problem in Anambra will only intensify unless Nigeria adopts smarter tools. By embracing AI for monitoring, forecasting, and planning, Anambra State can protect its farmland, roads, and homes more efficiently and affordably.