By Gabriel Ewepu The Federal Government on Tuesday flagged off the $500 million World Bank-funded Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project aimed at accelerating food production and increasing power generation. Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Joseph Utsev, who performed the flag-off in Abuja, said the project is a strategic intervention designed to […]
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By Gabriel Ewepu
The Federal Government on Tuesday flagged off the $500 million World Bank-funded Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project aimed at accelerating food production and increasing power generation.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Joseph Utsev, who performed the flag-off in Abuja, said the project is a strategic intervention designed to strengthen dam safety and water resources management for improved irrigation and hydropower generation.
Utsev, who also chairs the SPIN Project Steering Committee, said the initiative would support national food security, economic growth and environmental sustainability.
“Today’s flag-off represents much more than the launch of a development project. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in Nigeria’s efforts to modernize irrigation, strengthen water governance, enhance agricultural productivity, and improve the livelihoods of millions of farmers,” he said.
He added that the project would introduce modern irrigation systems, improve dam management and strengthen institutions to boost agricultural productivity and enhance resilience to climate challenges.
According to him, the SPIN Project aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritizes food security, economic resilience and infrastructure development.
Utsev noted that the declaration of a national emergency on food security by the President underscores the need to transform Nigeria’s agricultural production system.
“With increasing climate variability, erratic rainfall and rising food demand driven by population growth, Nigeria must move beyond dependence on rain-fed agriculture and invest in modern and climate-resilient irrigation systems,” he said. The project has four major components: institutional strengthening and capacity building for water resources management; irrigation modernization; improvement in dam operations and safety; and project management to ensure effective coordination and accountability.
In his remarks, Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mahmuda Mamman, stressed the need for strong collaboration among stakeholders to accelerate implementation.
World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, said water security, food security and energy remain critical foundations for sustainable economic growth.
He explained that the SPIN project builds on the success of the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) project and will rehabilitate about 14,000 hectares of irrigated land while attracting private investment in irrigation development.
World Bank Global Director for Water, Saroj Jha, also emphasized the importance of improving water storage, noting that Nigeria has over 400 dams, many of which require rehabilitation to enhance their capacity to manage floods and droughts.
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