Adedeji Adeleke, a prominent Nigerian businessman and father of award-winning musician Davido, recently shared a compelling story of perseverance and faith in overcoming significant bureaucratic hurdles while securing the environmental permit for his company’s $2 billion power plant project. Speaking at the Seventh Day Adventist General Conference Annual Council in Maryland, USA, Adeleke described how he encountered serious resistance from government officials, one of whom told him outright that the project would never materialize. Despite the daunting circumstances, Adeleke’s unyielding belief in his vision and divine intervention ultimately helped him navigate the complex challenges.
As the Chairman of Pacific Energy, Adeleke’s company is responsible for generating about 15% of Nigeria’s electricity, making him a key player in the country’s power sector. His ambition to expand Pacific Energy’s operations culminated in the construction of what is expected to be Nigeria’s largest power plant, a 1,250-megawatt facility slated for completion in January 2025. However, the road to securing the necessary environmental permits for this massive undertaking was anything but smooth.
Adeleke recounted how a particular government official, who was responsible for issuing the environmental permits, became a major obstacle. During a crucial meeting, this official blatantly told Adeleke that his power plant project “would never see the light of day.” The news was devastating, especially since significant resources had already been poured into the early stages of the project. “While he was saying that, I was thinking in my mind, this guy is talking as if he is God,” Adeleke recalled. He continued, “I told myself that what this man is saying doesn’t matter because only God can decide the fate of this project.”
At that moment, Adeleke’s faith took center stage. A man known for his belief in the power of prayer, he knelt and prayed to God, refusing to accept the official’s words as final. Despite the setbacks, he remained hopeful that the project would continue. Adeleke’s refusal to give up also came from his responsibility to his business partners. He explained that Chinese engineering companies were involved in the construction and design of the plant, and a halt in the project would have devastating consequences for them, including potential bankruptcy.
“My Chinese partners were very worried,” Adeleke said. “They had invested heavily in the preliminary stages, and the Afrexim Bank of China was also deeply involved. My partners were panicking because if the project didn’t move forward, they stood to lose a lot. One of my Chinese friends flew all the way to Nigeria to discuss a solution, but he didn’t believe prayer would be enough to get us the permits. I told him not to worry; I believed that God would make a way.”
As the project hung in the balance, Adeleke kept his faith alive and continued to push forward. His persistence eventually paid off. The then Minister of Power, after reviewing the project’s merits, recognized its potential and granted the long-awaited environmental permits. Adeleke emphasized that the approval was a turning point and a testament to the importance of perseverance, prayer, and having faith even when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Reflecting on the incident, Adeleke noted the irony of the situation. “The official who told me the project would never see the light of day was so confident in his statement, but in the end, it wasn’t his decision. The project is moving forward, and it’s going to be completed. I never let his words discourage me because I knew that he wasn’t God,” Adeleke said.
This power plant project is one of the largest private sector-driven energy projects in Nigeria and is expected to make a substantial impact on the country’s energy supply once completed. The 1,250-megawatt facility will bolster Nigeria’s power grid, which has long been plagued by inadequate supply and frequent outages. Adeleke’s vision for the project aligns with his broader goal of improving Nigeria’s infrastructure and supporting economic growth through sustainable energy solutions.
This wasn’t the first time Adeleke discussed his power project. Earlier in July 2023, he addressed the importance of the initiative while delivering a keynote speech at the 9th graduation ceremony of Adeleke University in Ede, Osun State. There, he highlighted the challenges of doing business in Nigeria’s complex regulatory environment, but also emphasized the opportunities that exist for those who are willing to stay the course.
Adeleke’s story offers valuable lessons about resilience, faith, and determination. Despite facing bureaucratic challenges and the skepticism of government officials, he stood firm in his belief that the project would succeed. His experience also sheds light on the broader difficulties that entrepreneurs and industrialists face in Nigeria’s business environment, where corruption, inefficiency, and red tape can often hinder progress.
The successful advancement of the power plant project marks another chapter in Adeleke’s long and storied career as one of Nigeria’s leading industrialists. In addition to his achievements in the energy sector, Adeleke is also a philanthropist and education advocate, having founded Adeleke University in honor of his late brother. His commitment to both business and social causes reflects his dedication to improving the lives of Nigerians across multiple sectors.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with its energy challenges, projects like Adeleke’s power plant offer hope for the future. With an expected completion date in January 2025, the plant is poised to become a critical part of Nigeria’s energy infrastructure, delivering much-needed power to millions of people. And for Adeleke, it stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and faith in the face of adversity.
