BREAKING: Nigeria Wins $680m ICC Arbitration Case Over Mambilla Power Project

Nigeria has won an arbitration case brought against it by Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited over disputes linked to the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project in Taraba State.

An International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration tribunal sitting in Paris on Thursday, September 17, 2026, issued an award rejecting Sunrise Power’s claims against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Mr Leno Adesanya.

Sunrise had demanded $680 million as a settlement sum and interest in connection with another arbitration in which it is seeking more than $2.7 billion in compensation and interest over disputes surrounding the development of the 3,960-megawatt Mambilla project.

President Bola Tinubu, in a statement, described the ruling as a major victory for Nigeria and commended the country’s legal team for defending the government’s position.

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

The President said the ruling affirmed Nigeria’s determination to resist what he described as “predatory and exploitative claims by corrupt local and international entities and their enablers and funders.”

Tinubu commended Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, and officials of the Federal Ministry of Justice for their efforts in the case.

He also praised Nigeria’s defence team, led by Elizabeth Oger-Gross and Tolu Obamuroh of Paul Hastings LLP, for what he described as a “professional and excellent defence” of the country.

The President further acknowledged former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the late President Muhammadu Buhari, who testified in the case, as well as former ministers Babatunde Fashola and Suleiman Adamu and other witnesses and experts.

According to Tinubu, the dispute dates back to a 2003 contract for the construction of a 3,050-megawatt hydroelectric plant in Taraba State under a build-operate-transfer arrangement.

He said the Federal Executive Council had never authorised the contract.

Tinubu also commended the National Security Adviser and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for their support and investigation of the matter.

“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,” he said.