$2.7bn Mambilla Power Project Ruling: Tinubu Hails ICC Ruling, Praises Obasanjo, Buhari, Others

MICHAEL AKINOLA

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hailed the ruling of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Arbitration Tribunal in Paris which rejected claims against Nigeria over the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project.

In a personal statement signed by the President, he described the award as a major victory for the country.

According to the statement, an International Arbitration Tribunal under the auspices of the ICC in Paris, Wednesday, September 17, 2026, issued an award in favour of Nigeria, rejecting the claims in the arbitration instituted by Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Ltd (Sunrise).

The case is AB Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (Sunrise) V. Federal Government of Nigeria (Nigeria) V. Mr. Leno Adesanya.

Sunrise had made a claim against the Federal Republic of Nigeria, demanding $680 million as a settlement sum and interest in respect of another arbitration in which it is claiming over $2.7 billion in compensation and interest relating to disputes associated with the development of the 3960MW Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project located in Taraba State.

President Tinubu said the decision affirms Nigeria’s determination not to succumb to predatory and exploitative claims.

The statement reads in part: “This latest decision affirms the Nigerian State’s determination not to succumb to predatory and exploitative claims by corrupt local and international entities and their enablers and funders.”

The President commended the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi and the entire team at the Federal Ministry of Justice for their efforts in the matter.

He also commended the FRN defence team, led by Ms. Elizabeth Oger-Gross and Mr. Tolu Obamuroh, both of *Paul Hastings LLP*, for their professional and excellent defence of the country.

 

President Tinubu praised the patriotism and support of *former President Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR*, and *late President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR*, who testified in the case, which dated back to an illegal 2003 contract to build a 3,050-megawatt hydroelectric plant in Taraba State under a build-operate-transfer model. The Federal Executive Council never authorised the contract.

 

He thanked other witnesses including former Ministers *Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN*, and *Suleiman Adamu*, and the experts, for their active participation in defending Nigeria’s interest.

 

The President also commended the *National Security Adviser* and the *Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)* for its investigation into the case.

 

*Mambilla Project To Move Forward*

 

President Tinubu assured that while Nigeria remains committed to partnering with genuine investors and honouring its legal obligations, it will continue to strongly defend opportunistic claims against the commonwealth.

 

“Today’s ICC ruling clears the single biggest legal hurdle that has paralysed the Mambilla hydro power project for years,” the President said.

 

_Signed: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, September 17, 2026_