Adedeji Adeleke, father of global music star Davido, has opened up about the challenges he faced in obtaining an environmental permit for his ambitious $2 billion power plant project in Nigeria.
Speaking at the Seventh Day Adventist General Conference Annual Council in Maryland, USA, Adeleke detailed his struggles with bureaucratic obstacles that nearly derailed the project.
Adeleke, who owns Pacific Energy, explained how he encountered “difficult government officials” during the permitting process.
One official bluntly told him that the project would never “see the light of day.” Undeterred, Adeleke turned to prayer, refusing to accept the official’s statement as final.
“I am a businessman in Nigeria. I own a power plant that generates about 15 percent of Nigeria’s electricity needs. I’m building the biggest power plant in Nigeria, a 1,250-megawatt facility set to be completed in January 2025,” he said.
Despite significant investment in the project’s design and planning, Adeleke’s initial permit application was denied due to environmental concerns.
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He recalled reassuring his worried Chinese partners, involved in the project’s engineering, that they would find a way forward.
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Adeleke credited a change in perspective from the then Minister of Power, who ultimately granted approval after recognizing the project’s potential.
“My Chinese friend came to Nigeria to discuss our next steps, as he believed that prayer alone wouldn’t suffice,” he added.
Adeleke had previously discussed this power project at the graduation ceremony of Adeleke University in July 2023, highlighting its importance for Nigeria’s energy sector and economic future.
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