An International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration tribunal in Paris has ruled in favour of Nigeria in a dispute involving Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited and the Federal Government over the long-running Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project in Taraba State.

The decision, issued on September 17, 2026, rejected claims brought by Sunrise Power in the arbitration, according to a statement issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

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The Mambilla project, designed as a 3,960-megawatt hydroelectric development, has faced legal and contractual disputes that have contributed to delays in its progress.

According to the statement, Sunrise Power had sought $680 million as a settlement sum and interest in connection with another arbitration in which it was seeking more than $2.7 billion in compensation and interest.

The claims relate to disputes surrounding the development of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project in Taraba State.

Mambilla Project Clears Major Legal Hurdle

President Tinubu described the ICC ruling as a major development for the Federal Government, saying it removes what he called the biggest legal obstacle that had stalled the hydropower project for years.

Tinubu also commended former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and the late Muhammadu Buhari for their participation in the proceedings.

According to the President, both former leaders testified in the case, which 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.

Tinubu stated that the Federal Executive Council had not authorised the 2003 contract.

The President also praised Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, and officials of the Federal Ministry of Justice for their work in defending Nigeria’s position.

He specifically commended the country’s defence team led by Elizabeth Oger-Gross and Tolu Obamuroh of Paul Hastings LLP for what he described as their professional handling of the arbitration.

Other individuals acknowledged by Tinubu included former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, former Minister of Water Resources Suleiman Adamu and other witnesses and experts who participated in the proceedings.

The President also acknowledged the support of the National Security Adviser and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which he said had conducted an investigation connected with the case.

Tinubu said the outcome demonstrated the government’s determination to defend Nigeria’s interests in international disputes while maintaining its commitment to legitimate investors and existing legal obligations.

He further said Nigeria would continue to defend what he described as opportunistic claims against the country’s commonwealth.

The Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project has remained one of Nigeria’s long-discussed energy infrastructure proposals. Its planned capacity of 3,960MW would make it a significant addition to the country’s electricity generation infrastructure if eventually completed.

The project has nevertheless been affected by contractual and legal disputes, alongside the broader challenges that have historically slowed large infrastructure developments in Nigeria.

With the latest ICC decision, the Federal Government says the project has now crossed what it considers its most significant legal barrier.

The ruling does not by itself constitute completion of the Mambilla project, however. Construction, financing, contracting and other implementation requirements would still need to be addressed before the proposed hydropower facility can begin generating electricity.

For the Tinubu administration, the decision represents a significant legal development in its efforts to resolve disputes surrounding the project and create conditions for its eventual implementation.