By Ibukun Emiola
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s power sector have called for accelerated delivery of the Ikere Gorge Hydropower Project, describing it as critical to improving electricity supply and driving economic growth.
They made the call in Ibadan during a UK PACT stakeholder engagement workshop on the imperatives for fast-tracking the project through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework.
Chief Executive Officer of Quaint Energy, Mr Mobolaji Durodola, said the workshop was aimed at developing a clear framework and pathway to ensure successful execution of the project.
Durodola said that although the project was complex, stakeholder engagement would help simplify implementation and ensure it delivers expected outcomes.
“We want to define critical aspects of the project, address technical challenges and gather feedback from stakeholders to ensure a well-informed and effective plan,” he said.
The CEO further said that sustained engagement with communities, financiers and regulators would be key to achieving seamless execution.
Also, the Managing Partner, AP3, Dr Olusina Gori, said the event, UK PACT Clean Energy Transition programme, focused on catalysing Run-of-River Small Hydropower for Nigeria’s decentralised energy transition.
“With rising demand, increasing strain on national grid infrastructure and persistent energy deficits across rural and productive-use communities, the need for diversified, resilient and low-carbon solutions has never become more urgent.
“Small hydropower, particularly, Run-of-River systems offer a unique opportunity to bridge this gap.
“It is a clean, reliable, locally sourced, climate-resilient and capable of powering livelihoods and local industries while reducing the nation’s dependence on diesel and other carbon-intensive alternatives,” Gori said.
In her remarks, Hajia Aisha Sutura of AP3 Advisory emphasised the role of the private sector in infrastructure development, noting that governments alone could not meet energy demands.
Sutura described the project as a potential model for developing Nigeria’s numerous small hydropower resources.
“Power is critical to development, and this project can serve as a catalyst for similar initiatives across the country,” she said.
Dr Sunday Owolabi, Director of Renewable Energy and Rural Electrification, Federal Ministry of Power, said that the project aligned with Nigeria’s renewable energy goals and could boost rural electrification and climate resilience.
Owolabi, represented by Mr Shehu Ibrahim, the Assistant Chief Electrical Engineer of the ministry, identified financing constraints, regulatory bottlenecks and risk allocation issues as major challenges facing power projects in the country.
“The PPP model provides a practical pathway to unlock projects like Ikere Gorge by leveraging private sector expertise and capital,” Ibrahim said.
He stressed the need for bankable project structures, transparent regulations and strong institutional coordination to ensure success.
The Oyo State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Prof. Dahud Sangodoyin, said the project would be implemented in line with the Electricity Act 2023 and existing regulatory frameworks.
Sangodoyin noted that the state had taken proactive steps, including establishing its electricity regulatory commission, to support energy investments.
Also, the Chairman of Quaint Energy, Mr Femi Adeyanju, said the project marked a transition from years of planning to actual implementation.
Adeyanju highlighted Nigeria’s electricity deficit, noting that available generation remained far below national demand.
He said the Ikere Gorge project has greater capacity that would contribute to bridging the electricity gap estimated at 30,000 MW while promoting sustainable energy.
Managing Director of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, Mr Deolu Ijose, said about 85 million Nigerians still lacked reliable electricity, stressing the importance of projects like the Ikere Gorge Hydropower Project.
Ijose said the company was ready to support efficient distribution and commercialisation of power generated from the project.
Similarly, Mr Ibironke Babajide of the Nigerian Independent System Operator said hydropower remained vital for grid stability and renewable energy integration.
Babajide assured stakeholders of technical support and collaboration to ensure successful delivery.
A community leader from the Isalu, Iseyin/Ikere area, Chief Siji Oke, expressed optimism about the project, noting that it would bring long-awaited development to the area.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Ikere Gorge Dam was initiated in 1983 but remained largely uncompleted until recent concession efforts revived the project.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Bayo Sekoni
