Written by Faith Mwende
Nigerian businessman and Pro-Chancellor of Adeleke University, Dr. Deji Adeleke father of Afrobeat superstar Davido has revealed that a 1,250-megawatt power plant he built in Ajebamidele, Ondo State, is fully complete but not yet operational due to a lack of gas supply.
Despite the plant’s potential to significantly transform Nigeria’s power sector and provide critical employment opportunities, it remains disconnected from the national gas grid meaning it cannot generate electricity.
This revelation comes at a time when Nigerians are voicing outrage over plans by regulators to increase electricity tariffs. With recurring blackouts, erratic supply, and questionable billing practices, many citizens are questioning why they should pay more for unreliable service.
Adeleke expressed his frustration with the bureaucratic hurdles that continue to stifle progress. “If not for my connections, the turbines would not even have arrived,” he said, hinting at deeper structural issues. His statement underscores the reality that in Nigeria, major projects often rely on personal influence rather than clear policy and efficient systems.
According to Adeleke, the situation reflects a broader failure within the country’s infrastructure and governance models where systemic inefficiencies and poor leadership obstruct even well-intentioned private sector efforts.
He also drew a link between the country’s struggling energy sector and its wider democratic shortcomings. “Foreign investors don’t invest in places where votes are sold, elections are not credible, and there is no accountability,” he stated, pointing out how political instability and a lack of transparency discourage investment in critical sectors.
For now, Adeleke’s 1,250MW power facility remains idle, symbolic of Nigeria’s untapped potential and the barriers that continue to limit real progress in delivering stable power to its citizens.
