DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A SMART ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR UNILAG, AKOKA CAMPUS.

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) Akoka campus faces significant challenges stemming from inefficient energy management and exorbitant utility costs, which strain institutional finances and hinder sustainable development. This project confronts this critical issue through the design and development of a sophisticated Smart Energy Management System (SEMS) that leverages the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) principles. By harnessing a comprehensive year-long dataset of the campus's hourly energy consumption, this research pioneers a data-driven framework for optimizing energy use. A core innovation of this work is the implementation of a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural network model, engineered to accurately forecast energy demand. This deep learning model was meticulously trained and validated, demonstrating robust performance with low error metrics, thereby providing a reliable tool for predicting campus load patterns. The project culminates in an interactive, web-based dashboard that visualizes both historical and forecasted consumption, translating complex data into actionable insights for campus energy managers. The findings unequivocally demonstrate that AI-powered forecasting can form the bedrock of a strategic energy management policy for UNILAG. The deployed system offers a scalable blueprint for substantially reducing energy waste, lowering operational costs, and enhancing grid reliability. This project not only provides an immediate practical solution for UNILAG but also establishes a replicable model for other tertiary institutions and large-scale facilities in Nigeria, paving the way for a more sustainable and financially efficient energy future.