Nigeria has secured a major victory in an international arbitration involving Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited over disputes connected to the development of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project in Taraba State.
An arbitration tribunal under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris on Thursday, September 17, 2026, issued an award rejecting claims brought by Sunrise against the Federal Government of Nigeria.
According to a statement issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Sunrise had sought $680 million in settlement and interest in connection with a separate arbitration in which the company is claiming more than $2.7 billion in compensation and interest over disputes relating to the 3,960-megawatt Mambilla project.
President Tinubu described the ruling as a significant victory for Nigeria and commended the legal team that represented the country in the proceedings.
“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),” Tinubu said.
The president said the decision demonstrated Nigeria’s determination to defend its interests against what he described as “predatory and exploitative claims” involving local and international entities.
Tinubu commended the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, and officials of the Federal Ministry of Justice for their role 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 called their “professional and excellent defence of the country.”
The case dates back to a 2003 contract concerning the proposed construction of a 3,050-megawatt hydroelectric plant in Taraba State under a build-operate-transfer arrangement.
According to the presidential statement, the Federal Executive Council never authorised the contract.
Tinubu also acknowledged the testimony of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the late President Muhammadu Buhari, as well as former ministers Babatunde Raji Fashola and Suleiman Adamu and other witnesses and experts who participated in the proceedings.
The president further thanked the National Security Adviser for his support and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for its investigation into the matter.
While reaffirming Nigeria’s willingness to work with genuine investors, Tinubu said the government would continue to defend the country’s interests in legal disputes.
“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.
Tinubu said the ICC decision removes a major legal obstacle that had affected the Mambilla hydropower project for years.
“Today’s ICC ruling clears the single biggest legal hurdle that has paralysed the Mambilla hydro power project for years,” the president said.