By Adejayan Gbenga
The Federal Government has announced that the concession of the Ikere Gorge Hydropower Facility in Oyo State is expected to generate over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs, as part of efforts to revitalise long-abandoned public infrastructure through private sector participation.
The 6-megawatt hydropower plant, located in Ikere community, Iseyin Local Government Area, has been formally handed over to Quaint Power and Infrastructure Nigeria Limited after years of underutilisation, despite its strategic importance for power generation and water management.
Speaking at the handover ceremony in Oyo State, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said the concession aligns with the Federal Government’s ongoing power sector reforms aimed at expanding energy access, attracting investment, and stimulating economic growth.
Adelabu noted that the project forms part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises infrastructure optimisation, job creation, and sustainable development nationwide.
He added that, beyond improving electricity supply in Oyo State and neighbouring communities, the project is expected to stimulate economic activity in the host community through employment opportunities and enhanced social infrastructure.
The concession is being implemented under the regulatory supervision of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC). The Director-General of the ICRC, Dr Jobson Ewalefoh, described the handover as a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to transform dormant assets into productive economic ventures.
Also speaking, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, said the revival of the hydropower facility reflects effective inter-agency collaboration to harness Nigeria’s water resources for power generation and national development.
Community leaders and other stakeholders expressed optimism that the concession would fast-track development in the Oke-Ogun axis of Oyo State and serve as a model for future hydropower and infrastructure partnerships across the country.
