The paper appraises the 720 MW Sapele Station, Nigeria’s first steam-turbine power-generating plant. The study period is from 1978 to 1992. The plant’s availability, utilization and average capability factors, based on both the installed and available capacities, were low. Within an average of six years, four of the six sets were put out of operation by turbine blade and boiler failures. Forced outages were mostly caused by external disturbances that were preventable. Comprehensive planning before the establishment of such stations by developing countries is advocated.