Father of world-famous musician and billionaire businessman, Dr. Deji Adeleke, has announced the completion of a 1,250-megawatt power plant in Ajebamidele, Ondo State.
Adeleke is owner and Pro-Chancellor of Adeleke University.
The $2 billion project, poised to be one of Nigeria’s largest thermal power plants, is now ready for commissioning, pending connection to the national gas grid. Once operational, the plant is expected to create over 2,000 jobs and significantly boost the country’s electricity supply.
Dr. Adeleke made the announcement during the 11th undergraduate and 7th postgraduate convocation ceremonies at Adeleke University in Ede, Osun State, where his younger brother, Governor Ademola Adeleke, was awarded an honorary Doctorate Degree.
The businessman highlighted the transformative potential of the project, which is designed to address Nigeria’s chronic power shortages.
“The power plant is ready; I am only waiting to be connected to the gas grid to start generating power,” Adeleke stated, emphasizing the plant’s capacity to employ engineers and other professionals.
The Ajebamidele power plant, developed under Pacific Energy, a subsidiary of Adeleke’s Pacific Holdings Limited, represents a major step toward energy independence for Nigeria.
With an installed capacity of 1,250 MW, the plant is expected to significantly augment the country’s current electricity generation, which struggles to dispatch more than 5,000 MW despite a potential capacity of over 12,000 MW.
This shortfall has left millions of Nigerians grappling with frequent blackouts and unreliable power supply.
Adeleke lamented facing bureaucratic hurdles, including difficulties securing environmental permits, with one government official declaring the project would “never see the light of day.”
Additionally, in 2023, looters stole turbine components worth $5 million, causing a year-long delay.
Despite these setbacks, Adeleke’s perseverance, supported by partnerships with companies like General Electric (GE) for turbine supply and Chinese engineering firms, has brought the project to fruition.
The power plant is expected to create significant economic benefits, including over 2,000 jobs for engineers and associated workers, stimulating local economies in Ondo State and beyond.
Pacific Energy already operates two gas-fired power plants, Omotosho and Olorunsogo, with a combined installed capacity of 640.8 MW, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s electricity needs.
Earlier claims by Adeleke that his company generates 15% of Nigeria’s electricity have been labeled misleading by Dubawa, as the actual output of these plants is lower than their installed capacity.
