Nigeria eyes 10,000MW hydropower for sustainable electricity

While acknowledging the immense potential for hydropower development in Africa, he said it is important to also consider responsible development.

He said, “We must address environmental concerns around dam construction and ecosystem disruption, alongside social impacts on local communities. This requires a commitment to sustainability, stakeholder engagement, and innovative solutions to financing these large-scale projects.”

The minister previously stated that for several decades, hydropower has played a significant role in Nigeria’s energy supply, contributing approximately 20 per cent to the nation’s total grid supply as of now

He highlighted that Nigeria has completed several major hydropower projects, including the 760 MW Kainji,578 MW Jebba, 600 MW Shiroro, 40 MW Mabon, and the newly inaugurated 700 MW Zungeru and 40 MW Kashimbila hydropower stations.

Adelabu emphasised Nigeria’s wealth of water resources across its various basins. He mentioned that while the country’s hydropower capacity is estimated at 14 GW, only around 15 per cent of this potential has been harnessed.

This indicates a significant untapped opportunity for hydropower development throughout Nigeria.