Ogun State Partners with Chinese Firm CCETC to Build 3MW Power Plant and Industrial Park
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun met with executives of Chinese energy company CCETC in early October, the discussion centered on a familiar problem for Nigerian states: power. The partnership that emerged from that meeting could mark a small but strategic step toward solving it.
A 3MW Power Boost for Ogun’s Cargo Airport
At the heart of the agreement is a 3-megawatt power plant that CCETC has pledged to install free of charge at the Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport in Iperu-Ilishan. The airport, one of the state’s flagship infrastructure projects, has struggled with delays and operational readiness. A reliable, independent power supply could jumpstart activity there, powering terminals, logistics facilities, and auxiliary services without relying on the unstable national grid.
Governor Abiodun described the offer as “a timely show of partnership” and hinted that the plant would serve as a model for future power-generation collaborations across Ogun’s industrial corridors.
A Vision for an Industrial Park
The meeting also laid out broader ambitions. CCETC is exploring the development of an industrial park in Ogun State, one that would integrate energy generation, transmission, and manufacturing facilities. The park is expected to attract Chinese and local manufacturers who rely on consistent electricity to maintain operations.
Officials say the company’s interest extends beyond just building power plants. It includes strengthening transmission and distribution infrastructure, potentially setting up a state-level power distribution network to ensure industries have stable access to electricity.
If realized, that would address one of the most stubborn bottlenecks for manufacturers in the state: erratic supply and dependence on diesel generators. The park could become a hub for power-reliant sectors like agro-processing, packaging, and light manufacturing, areas Ogun has been eager to expand.
Who is CCETC?
CCETC (sometimes stylized as CteeC) is a Chinese energy and industrial engineering firm that has built projects across several African countries. The company reportedly manages over 250MW of power projects in Nigeria and claims to have more than 5,000MW of installed generation capacity globally. In Nigeria, it has been involved in both independent power generation and industrial electrification projects.
While its track record in Nigeria appears modest compared to established players, its willingness to offer a “free” 3MW installation signals a strategy to gain local trust and build a presence in state-level energy infrastructure.
What’s at Stake for Ogun State
For Ogun, this partnership aligns neatly with its “Light Up Ogun” initiative, an ongoing push to improve energy access for industrial clusters across the state. Areas like Agbara, Sagamu, and Abeokuta have long attracted investors but continue to suffer from unreliable power supply, which inflates production costs and discourages new entrants.
A functioning industrial park powered by a dedicated plant could demonstrate what’s possible when the private and public sectors align on infrastructure. It could also make Ogun more competitive compared to neighboring states like Lagos, which continues to draw the bulk of manufacturing investment.
Still, Questions Remain
The plan is ambitious, but the details are thin. For one, 3MW is relatively small for industrial-scale energy needs. Even a single mid-sized factory can consume over 1MW on its own. If the 3MW plant is just a pilot phase, the state will need a clear roadmap for expansion.
Then there’s the question of what “free of charge” really means. Does CCETC cover installation only, or will it manage and maintain the plant long term? Who bears the operating costs, fuel, staffing, and maintenance? None of that has been clarified publicly.
Implementation timelines are also unclear. No ground-breaking date or completion target has been announced, and the industrial park is still at a conceptual stage. Without concrete timelines, the project risks joining a long list of well-intentioned MOUs that never move past the press-release phase.
A Calculated First Step
Even with the unanswered questions, the collaboration underscores an important shift: Nigerian states are starting to pursue localized energy solutions instead of waiting for federal grid reform. Ogun’s move with CCETC may not solve its power deficit, but it’s a pragmatic step toward energy self-sufficiency, industrial growth, and investor confidence.
If executed as promised, the 3MW plant could become a functional proof-of-concept for similar public-private partnerships across Nigeria, small but strategic interventions that make industrial growth possible where the national grid has failed to deliver.
