Adedeji Adeleke, a Nigerian business magnate and father of music superstar Davido, has opened up about his challenges in securing permits for a $2 billion power plant he is building to generate 15% of Nigeria’s electricity.
Speaking at the Seventh Day Adventist General Conference in Maryland, USA, Adeleke described the arduous process and moments when government officials doubted the project’s viability.
Adeleke, who manages Pacific Energy, detailed how the environmental permit for the 1,250-megawatt plant was initially denied.
He recalled an official bluntly stating that his project “would never see the light of day.” Facing this opposition, Adeleke, a Baptist, said he turned to prayer for guidance and reassurance. “This guy is talking as if he is God,” he remembered thinking. “Whatever he is saying is null and void.”
The project, scheduled for completion in January 2025, had already drawn significant investment and backing from Chinese engineering partners and financing from the Afrexim Bank of China.
Concerns over stalled progress due to the permitting issues led Adeleke’s Chinese associate to travel to Nigeria, questioning whether faith alone could resolve the impasse.
“I told him not to worry,” Adeleke reassured, explaining his strong faith.
Eventually, the former Nigerian Minister of Power saw the project’s potential and approved it, allowing Adeleke and his team to move forward.
“It’s a huge investment,” he shared, highlighting that the project, once operational, would become the largest power plant in Nigeria.
Adeleke previously spoke about this initiative at the 9th graduation ceremony of Adeleke University, emphasising his commitment to addressing Nigeria’s energy challenges despite significant hurdles. His experience, he believes, underscores the power of faith and resilience in achieving visionary goals.
