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From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
The federal government has launched the $500 million Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project, a major initiative to improve dam safety, expand irrigation infrastructure, and increase hydropower generation across the country.
Speaking at the launch in Abuja, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, described the project as a strategic intervention to improve water resource management and drive Nigeria’s food security agenda.
Utsev said the World Bank–supported project would modernise irrigation systems, optimise dam operations and integrate sustainable power generation to increase agricultural productivity and stimulate economic growth.
He explained that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises food security, economic resilience and sustainable infrastructure development.
The minister stressed the urgent need for Nigeria to move away from heavy dependence on rain-fed agriculture due to climate variability and erratic rainfall.
“With increasing climate variability, erratic rainfall patterns and growing food demand, Nigeria must invest decisively in modern, climate-resilient irrigation systems,” Utsev said.
According to him, the SPIN Project is structured around four key components: institutional strengthening for water resources management, modernisation of irrigation infrastructure, improvement of dam operations and safety, and effective project management.
He also highlighted the role of Water Users Associations (WUAs) in ensuring participatory irrigation management, noting that farmers would take part in the operation and maintenance of irrigation facilities to guarantee sustainability.
Utsev commended states that have already met the programme’s participation requirements and urged others to take necessary steps to benefit from the initiative.
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“The opportunities presented by SPIN are significant, and the federal government remains committed to supporting all states prepared to meet the required conditions,” he added.
World Bank Country Director in Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, said recent economic reforms had stabilised the Nigerian economy and placed it on a new growth trajectory.
He said the bank’s new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2026–2032 focuses on job creation, water security, food security and energy, while also strengthening collaboration with states and mobilising private sector investment.
Verghis noted that the SPIN Project builds on the success of the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) Project, which reached over 1.7 million people and brought about 14,000 hectares of farmland under irrigation.
He added that SPIN would strengthen legal and institutional frameworks for WUAs, promote participatory irrigation management, support hydropower investments and encourage public–private partnerships to expand farmer-led irrigation development.
According to him, the programme has generated strong interest at the state level, with 31 states expressing interest and 23 already meeting eligibility criteria and moving towards technical implementation and funding disbursement.
Also speaking, the World Bank Global Director for Water, Saroj Kumar Jha, said the project would improve water storage, optimise dam performance and enhance irrigation infrastructure to support food security and economic growth.
Jha stressed that sustainable irrigation management through strong Water Users Associations would enable farmers maintain facilities and generate service revenue.
He noted that experiences from countries such as India, Indonesia and Vietnam show that participatory irrigation management significantly improves efficiency.
“The SPIN Project positions Nigeria as a model for water security and irrigation-led development in Africa. The World Bank remains committed to supporting the country in unlocking the economic potential of its water resources,” Jha said.
