Femi Oye is chief executive officer of Kike Technologies. In this interview with Josephine Okojie, he spoke on how Kike Technologies is leveraging artificial intelligence to forecasts the likelihood of a gas cylinder running out.
In the last three years, the cost-of-living crisis has intensified, affecting households across the country. What impact has this had?
The ongoing cost-of-living crisis has deeply strained households across Nigeria and beyond. Rising inflation, escalating fuel costs, and disruptions in global supply chains have eroded purchasing power—making basic commodities like food, fuel, and housing increasingly unaffordable.
In Nigeria, where many live on limited incomes, these challenges have led to increased debt burdens as families resort to loans for everyday expenses, a growing disparity between low wages and soaring costs and, struggles with basic food security, as families are forced to choose between essential needs.
This economic pressure is not just a matter of higher prices—it is reshaping daily life, forcing households to adapt and innovate in ways that ultimately underscore the urgent need for sustainable solutions.
What should be done to tackle this crisis head-on?
Addressing this multifaceted challenge requires a holistic approach that spans policy, community support, and innovation. Key measures include; robust policy interventions, implementing measures to curb inflation and stabilize the national currency.
Others are support for local agriculture, boosting investment in scientific agriculture, irrigation, and farmer support to ensure a stable food supply, enhancing access to affordable housing, healthcare, and education to reduce the daily burden on families and engaging government, private sector, and community stakeholders to create an ecosystem that supports sustainable economic growth.
Such a comprehensive strategy is critical to restoring household purchasing power and safeguarding food security.
Why is household food security so critical?
Food security begins at home. It means ensuring every family member has consistent access to safe and nutritious food—essential for health, productivity, and overall well-being. When households struggle to secure food, malnutrition sets in, undermining the very foundation of community development.
In Nigeria, even as we produce abundant food, rising costs can force families to compromise on quality, leading to long-term health and economic repercussions. True food security is about resilience at the household level, and that is why every initiative aimed at stabilizing food supply must start from home.
You’ve expressed concern over the rising cost of gas and its impact on household food security. Could you elaborate?
Gas is a vital component of everyday cooking, and when its cost becomes prohibitive, the repercussions ripple across household budgets. High gas prices not only disrupt meal preparation but also contribute to a broader economic strain by driving up costs for other essentials.
This directly affects food security—when families are forced to cut corners, the quality and nutritional value of their meals can suffer. Addressing the cost and management of gas usage is therefore an integral part of ensuring that every household can maintain a healthy and sustainable food system.
Let’s discuss your smart cooking application. What exactly does it do?
Our Kike AI application takes the guesswork out of cooking. It’s a smart kitchen assistant that predicts when a gas cylinder is likely to run out—giving users the precious time they need to arrange a refill. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, Kike AI transforms everyday cooking into a more efficient, safe, and stress-free experience.
How does Kike AI work?
Kike AI operates through a seamless integration of hardware and software. A smart meter attached to the gas cylinder continuously monitors usage, while our AI-driven predictive algorithm analyzes historical cooking data and real-time consumption patterns.
This process enables the app to deliver a highly accurate forecast of when a refill will be necessary, ensuring that users can plan their meals without any last-minute interruptions.
How accurate are these predictions?
Our extensive trials have shown that Kike AI predicts gas depletion within a margin of error of just two hours. While individual cooking habits can introduce slight variations, the system is designed to learn and adapt over time—improving its accuracy with every use. This level of precision not only enhances convenience but also contributes significantly to household safety and cost efficiency.
What are the key benefits for users of Kike AI?
Kike AI offers a host of benefits that directly address everyday challenges: eliminates guesswork-users receive timely alerts before the gas runs out. This saves time and money, avoids costly, last-minute refills and reduces unnecessary trips, minimizes risks associated with gas depletion and potential leaks.
It integrates culinary insights: It provides features like recipe suggestions and cost tracking enrich the overall cooking experience. Households are empowered. This is because it supports better planning and resource management, contributing to improved food security.
What about privacy concerns and do you collecting sensitive data about users’ cooking habits?
Data privacy is paramount to us. Kike AI only collects anonymized and aggregated data that is essential for its predictive functions. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of data security and do not share any personal information with third parties. Our users can enjoy the benefits of our technology with complete peace of mind.
What are your plans for the future of Kike AI?
We are continually evolving Kike AI to better serve our users. In the near future, we plan to integrate the app with smart kitchen ecosystems, enhancing its capabilities with features like: advanced recipe suggestions-tailored to remaining gas levels and user preferences.
We are working on improving partnerships with gas suppliers. The intention is to streamline the refill process through direct collaborations.
The other thing is expanded integration: connecting with other smart home devices to offer a unified, innovative cooking experience.
Our vision is to position Kike AI as an indispensable tool in every modern kitchen—one that not only solves immediate challenges but also paves the way for smarter, more sustainable living.
When will the app be available?
Kike AI is already in use by selects users, and we are preparing for a broader launch very soon. The app will be easily accessible via WhatsApp—no need for downloads or additional storage space. Simply connect and experience your personalized kitchen assistant in real time.
I firmly believe that ongoing research and development in areas such as gas quality, operational efficiency, and user experience are vital. Kike AI is more than a solution to unexpected gas depletion—it is a step toward cost savings, improved resource management, and a higher quality of life. This innovation is emblematic of how technology can transform everyday challenges into opportunities for growth and resilience.
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