FG, World Bank launch $500m irrigation, power project

The federal government has inaugurated the steering committee for the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project, aimed at enhancing national food security, water management, and climate resilience.

The project, valued at $500 million and supported by the World Bank, aims to deliver large-scale multi-purpose infrastructure for irrigation and hydropower generation.

Speaking at the meeting in Abuja on Friday, Joseph Utsev, minister of water resources and sanitation, and co-chair of the committee, said the initiative aligns with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

Utsev said the SPIN project builds on the success of the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) project, which helped rehabilitate about 32,000 hectares of irrigation schemes and empowered Water Users Associations (WUAs) across the country.

“Nigeria is committed to improving its food, water, and energy security,” he said.

“Through this project, we are targeting 500,000 hectares of irrigated agriculture, 30 Gigawatts of sustainable energy, and strengthened resilience to floods, droughts, and climate change.

“The project consists of four key components: institutional strengthening, irrigation modernisation, dam safety and operational improvements, and effective project management.

“It will be implemented under two models; Model 1, which focuses on federal government-managed schemes in collaboration with interested states, and Model 2, which supports state-owned irrigation schemes.”

’17 STATES QUALIFIED FOR THE PROJECT’

According to Utsev, out of the 34 states that expressed interest in participating in the project, 27 pledged to meet the readiness criteria, and 17 states have been confirmed as qualified.

He said the states satisfied three key requirements: enacting a WUA law at the state level, allocating budgetary provisions for WUA operations and maintenance, and establishing counterpart funding.

Abubakar Kyari, minister of agriculture and food security, described the SPIN project as timely, noting that it would build on the achievements of the TRIMING initiative to further transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

Kyari also commended the World Bank for its continued support towards sustainable development across various sectors, but emphasised the need to place greater focus on measuring concrete outcomes.

Adebayo Adelabu, minister of power, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to sustainable energy through hydropower, outlining it as key to achieving energy and food security.

Adelabu, represented by Mahmadu Mamman, permanent secretary, said the initiative was a major step towards optimising the country’s water resources for long-term development.

He added that the ministry of power, as a key implementing partner, was responsible for preparing project memos aimed at attracting private sector investment into hydropower development.

“This aligns with the broader national vision that sees energy not just as a commodity, but as the foundation for growth and progress,” he said.

Also speaking, Chinedu Umoru, World Bank task team leader for the SPIN project, applauded the federal government for its strong commitment to the project’s implementation.

“With this level of commitment, I am confident the federal government will achieve the objectives of the SPIN project,” he said.

Umoru urged all stakeholders to match the government’s efforts with action to ensure nationwide impact on power and irrigation infrastructure.