Nigeria Wins $680m Sunrise Power Arbitration, Clearing Major Hurdle for Mambilla Project
Nigeria Wins $680m Sunrise Power Arbitration, Clearing Major Hurdle for Mambilla Project
Nigeria Wins $680m Sunrise Power Arbitration, Clearing Major Hurdle for Mambilla Project
Nigeria has secured a major legal victory in its long-running dispute with Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited after an International Arbitration Tribunal under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris ruled in favour of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The award was issued on Thursday, September 17, 2026, rejecting claims brought by Sunrise in connection with disputes surrounding the development of the 3,960-megawatt Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project in Taraba State.
According to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Sunrise had sought $680 million as a settlement sum and interest in relation to another arbitration in which the company is claiming more than $2.7 billion in compensation and interest.
President Tinubu described the ruling as a significant development, saying it clears what he called the “single biggest legal hurdle” that had stalled the Mambilla hydroelectric project for years.
The President commended the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, and the Federal Ministry of Justice team for their efforts in defending Nigeria’s interests.
He also praised Nigeria’s defence team, led by Elizabeth Oger-Gross and Tolu Obamuroh of Paul Hastings LLP, for their role in the arbitration.
President Tinubu further acknowledged the contributions of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, who testified in the case, as well as former Ministers Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, and Suleiman Adamu and other expert witnesses.
The President said the dispute dated back to a 2003 contract for the construction of a 3,050-megawatt hydroelectric plant in Taraba State under a build-operate-transfer model, which the Federal Government maintains was not authorised by the Federal Executive Council.
He also commended the National Security Adviser for his support and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for its investigation into the matter.
President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with genuine investors and honouring its legal obligations, while stressing that the country would continue to defend its interests against claims it considers opportunistic.
The Mambilla project has remained stalled for years amid contractual, financing and legal disputes. The latest arbitration ruling removes a major legal impediment to the project, although further financing, contractual and implementation steps will be required before construction can proceed.
“Today’s ICC ruling clears the single biggest legal hurdle that has paralysed the Mambilla hydro power project for years,” President Tinubu said.
Nigeria Wins $680m Sunrise Power Arbitration, Clearing Major Hurdle for Mambilla Project
