Deji Adeleke Unveils 1,250MW Power Plant in Ondo, Urges Nigerians to Embrace Credible Elections

Deji Adeleke announces his 1,250MW power plant is ready but awaits gas grid link.

He says the project will create thousands of jobs and blames poor elections for investor fears.

Dr. Deji Adeleke, prominent businessman and Pro-Chancellor of Adeleke University in Ede, Osun State, has announced the completion of a 1,250-megawatt power plant located in Ajebamidele, Ondo State.

Speaking on Sunday during the university’s 11th undergraduate and 7th postgraduate convocation ceremonies, Adeleke said the project is ready but has yet to begin operations because it is not connected to the national gas grid. Once operational, the plant is expected to create over 2,000 jobs for engineers and other workers.

“The power plant is ready. I am only waiting to be connected to the gas grid to start generating power,” Adeleke said. “That plant will employ over 2,000 engineers and other associated workers.”

He also revealed that getting the turbine from General Electric (GE) was made possible through his connections. Without that support, the project may not have been built.

“Imagine if not because of my relationship, we were not able to get GE to supply the turbine to us, that means that the powerplant would not be built. That means the jobs would not be there.”

Dr. Adeleke used the event to highlight problems with Nigeria’s electoral system, saying that vote-buying and election-related violence are harming the country’s image and discouraging foreign investors.

“Some of those who graduated four years ago are still searching for jobs because nobody is investing,” he said. “We do not understand that the way we conduct ourselves during elections affects the ability of this country to attract foreign investors.”

He added, “We cannot expect good governance after selling our votes. If we insist on free, fair and credible elections, other countries will respect us. Then we can attract the foreign investment we desperately need.”

During the convocation, the university graduated 1,133 students from six faculties and its College of Postgraduate Studies. Among the attendees was Adeleke’s younger brother, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, who was awarded an honorary doctorate degree.