President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed the ruling of an International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration tribunal in favour of Nigeria in the long-running dispute involving Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited over the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project in Taraba State.
The President, in a statement issued by the State House on Thursday, September 17, 2026, described the decision as a major development for Nigeria, saying it had cleared what he called the “single biggest legal hurdle” that had paralysed the Mambilla hydropower project for years.
The ICC tribunal sitting in Paris rejected the claims brought by Sunrise against the Federal Government of Nigeria.
According to the Presidency, Sunrise had sought $680 million as a settlement sum and interest in connection with another arbitration in which it was claiming more than $2.7 billion in compensation and interest over disputes arising from the development of the Mambilla project.
Reacting to the ruling, President Tinubu commended the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, as well as officials of the Federal Ministry of Justice for their role in defending Nigeria’s interests.
He also praised the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s defence team, led by Elizabeth Oger-Gross and Tolu Obamuroh of Paul Hastings LLP, for what he described as their professional and excellent handling of the case.
The President said the ruling demonstrated Nigeria’s determination to defend its interests against claims he described as predatory and exploitative.
President Tinubu also acknowledged the contributions of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, who testified in the arbitration proceedings.
He described their participation as patriotic support for Nigeria’s defence in the case, which dates back to a controversial 2003 agreement concerning the construction of a 3,050-megawatt hydroelectric plant in Taraba State under a build-operate-transfer arrangement.
According to the President’s statement, the Federal Executive Council did not authorise the original contract.
Tinubu also commended former Ministers Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, and Suleiman Adamu, as well as the experts who participated in the proceedings and contributed to Nigeria’s defence.
He extended his appreciation to the National Security Adviser for his support and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its investigation into the matter.
The President said the Federal Government remained committed to working with genuine investors and fulfilling Nigeria’s legal obligations.
However, he stressed that the country would continue to vigorously defend what he described as opportunistic claims against the nation’s commonwealth.
“Today’s ICC ruling clears the single biggest legal hurdle that has paralysed the Mambilla hydro power project for years,” the President said.
The Mambilla project has been the subject of prolonged contractual, legal and administrative disputes across successive administrations.
The latest ICC ruling represents a major development in the international arbitration surrounding the project and removes the immediate legal dispute addressed by the tribunal from the path of the long-delayed power project.
President Tinubu concluded his statement by reiterating his commitment to protecting Nigeria’s interests.
Read the President’s statement…
ICC CASE: AB SUNRISE POWER AND TRANSMISSION COMPANY LIMITED (SUNRISE) V. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA (NIGERIA) V. MR. LENO ADESANYA
An International Arbitration Tribunal under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, today, September 17, 2026, issued an award in favour of our country, rejecting the claims in the arbitration instituted by Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Ltd (Sunrise).
The company 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 Mambila Hydroelectric Power Project, located in Taraba State.
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.
On behalf of the Government and People of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I strongly commend the tremendous efforts of 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 this matter.
I also commend 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.
I commend 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.
I thank the other witnesses in this case, including former Ministers Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, and Suleiman Adamu, and the experts, for their active participation in defending Nigeria’s interest in the arbitration.
I commend the National Security Adviser for his support and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for its investigation into the case.
I want to assure you that while our country remains committed to partnering with genuine investors and honouring its legal obligations, it will continue to defend all opportunistic claims instituted against our commonwealth strongly.
Today’s ICC ruling clears the single biggest legal hurdle that has paralysed the Mambilla hydro power project for years.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU,
September 17, 2026
