An International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration tribunal in Paris has ruled in favour of Nigeria in a case brought by Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited, a dispute connected to the long-delayed 3,960-megawatt Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project in Taraba State.
According to a statement published by Nigeria’s State House on September 18, the tribunal issued its award on September 17, 2026, rejecting Sunrise Power’s claims.
The company had sought $680 million plus interest in one claim, while a related arbitration involved a claim of more than $2.7 billion in compensation and interest concerning disputes surrounding the Mambilla project.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu described the ruling as significant for the project, saying:
“Today’s ICC ruling clears the single biggest legal hurdle that has paralysed the Mambilla hydro power project for years.”
The President also said the government would continue to defend what it considers opportunistic claims while maintaining its commitment to genuine investors and its legal obligations.
The dispute dates back to a 2003 contract involving a proposed 3,050-megawatt hydroelectric plant under a build-operate-transfer arrangement. It says the Federal Executive Council did not authorise that contract.
Tinubu specifically commended Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi and the Federal Ministry of Justice team. He also recognised the defence team led by Elizabeth Oger-Gross and Tolu Obamuroh of Paul Hastings LLP.
The President further acknowledged former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, who, according to the statement, testified in the arbitration, as well as former ministers Babatunde Fashola and Suleiman Adamu and other witnesses and experts.
Tinubu’s statement concluded with the government’s position that Nigeria remains willing to work with genuine investors while defending its interests in international arbitration.
