… project to prioritise Iseyin, Oke Ogun communities
Oredola Adeola
The Ministry of Power has signed a 30-year concession agreement with Messrs Quaint Power and Infrastructure Nigeria Limited for the development of the 6-megawatt Ikere Gorge Hydropower Project in Iseyin, Oyo State, prioritise energy access for Oyo’s Oke Ogun communities.
The agreement was formally signed in Abuja on Wednesday under the supervision of the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, marking a 30-year public-private partnership (PPP) concession that will expand the Ikere Gorge Hydropower Project from 6 MW to 20 MW.
Advisors Reports gathered that the development came after the initial concessionaire failed to conclude negotiations, prompting the government to re-award the concession to Quaint Power marking a renewed push to unlock the long-dormant potential of the Ikere Gorge facility.
Adelabu explained that the Ikere Gorge and Omi-Kampe Hydropower Projects are integral to the Federal Government’s strategy to boost renewable energy capacity, expand electricity access, and strengthen state-level power markets.
He expressed satisfaction with the signing of the concession agreement between the Federal Ministry of Power and Quaint Energy, describing it as “another milestone in the nation’s pursuit of sustainable, reliable, and affordable electricity supply.”
The Minister emphasised that beyond generating power, the projects would serve as key drivers of rural industrialisation and agricultural development, delivering steady electricity to nearby communities and supporting processing zones, small industries, and social infrastructure.
Although the Omi-Kampe signing was postponed allowing for the completion of contractual arrangements, Adelabu reaffirmed that both initiatives demonstrate the government’s strong commitment to private sector-led growth in Nigeria’s power sector.
He further noted that government efforts are now directed toward creating a stable policy environment, improving regulation, and de-risking private investments through transparent and credible partnerships.
Adelabu concluded that the two projects represent more than just hydropower concessions, but strategic interventions designed to advance energy access, stimulate state electricity markets, and enhance local productivity through clean and renewable sources.
“Through partnerships like this, we are unlocking private capital, technology, and innovation to deliver projects that directly benefit citizens and strengthen Nigeria’s energy security,” he stated.
Mr. Femi Adeyanju, Chairman of Quaint Energy, pledged the company’s commitment to timely delivery of the Ikere Gorge Hydropower Project in full compliance with international best practices.
He assured that the project would bring tangible benefits to the host communities while showcasing Quaint Energy’s capacity to implement sustainable and impactful power solutions across Nigeria.
Advisors Reports gathered that the Ikere Gorge Hydropower Plant traces its origin to 1979 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s military administration and was partially commissioned in 1980 during President Shehu Shagari’s tenure.
Covering about 47 square kilometres, the dam, under the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, was designed to harness the Ogun River Basin’s water resources with a planned generation capacity of 37.55 megawatts.
Construction began in 1982 at an estimated cost of $10 million, with Roads Nigeria Limited handling civil works worth ₦35.8 million and Messrs Noell (W.A) Limited in charge of mechanical and electrical installations.
Progress came to a halt following the 1983 military coup that toppled Shagari’s government, leading to decades of abandonment and deterioration.
Subsequent administrations made intermittent revival attempts, but the project remained largely dormant.
The initiative, originally conceived as a multi-purpose scheme for power generation, irrigation, and water supply, features an earth-fill dam situated on the Ogun River in Iseyin LGA, with a reservoir capacity of about 690 million cubic metres, ideal for hydropower and agricultural use.
