FG, World Bank Launch $500m Irrigation, Power Project
The Federal Government, in collaboration with the World Bank, has launched a $500 million Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project aimed at improving irrigation, hydropower generation and water management across the country.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, announced the inauguration of the project on Tuesday, noting that the initiative would strengthen dam safety, modernise irrigation systems and support food security, economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Utsev explained that the SPIN project would enhance Nigeria’s ability to manage floods, droughts and climate variability while promoting sustainable energy development and modern water management in both rural and urban communities.
According to him, the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises food security, economic resilience and sustainable infrastructure development.
He recalled that the President had earlier declared a national emergency on food security, stressing that the project would contribute significantly to addressing the challenge.
The minister said the initiative consists of four key components, including institutional strengthening, irrigation modernisation, improved dam operations and safety, as well as project management to ensure proper coordination, monitoring and accountability during implementation.
Utsev added that the project would also promote participatory irrigation management through strengthened Water Users Associations (WUAs), which would oversee the operation, maintenance and sustainability of irrigation systems.
He commended states that had complied with the project requirements and encouraged others to participate in order to benefit from the initiative.
Speaking at the event, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, said recent economic reforms had helped stabilise the economy and set the country on a new trajectory.
He, however, stressed the need to translate the progress into sustainable growth, job creation and broader opportunities for Nigerians.
Verghis noted that the SPIN project builds on the success of the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) project, which reached about 1.7 million people and covered 14,000 hectares of land.
Also speaking, the World Bank Global Director for Water, Saroj Jha, said the project would focus on improving water storage, maintaining irrigation systems sustainably and attracting private sector investment to boost productivity and farmers’ incomes.
Jha noted that many of Nigeria’s more than 400 dams were affected by siltation, while about a quarter of newly irrigated land was lost annually.
He added that the SPIN project would address these challenges through strengthened Water Users Associations and improved water management systems.
According to him, public investment alone cannot meet the country’s food security needs, stressing that private sector participation is vital to improving water efficiency, productivity and farmers’ incomes.
Jha reaffirmed the World Bank Group’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in developing sustainable irrigation, water management and climate-resilient agriculture for national development.
