The Federal Government, in partnership with the World Bank, has inaugurated the $500 million Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project to strengthen irrigation systems, improve dam safety, and support food security and sustainable energy development across the country.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, disclosed this on Tuesday during the inauguration, noting that the project would also help improve hydropower development and climate resilience nationwide.
Utsev explained that the SPIN project is designed to strengthen dam safety, modernise irrigation infrastructure, and promote sustainable water management across both rural and urban communities.
What they are saying
Utsev said the project aligns with the Federal Government’s broader agenda to improve food production and strengthen economic resilience.
According to him, SPIN also emphasises participatory irrigation management through strengthened Water Users Associations (WUAs), which will oversee the operation and maintenance of irrigation facilities to ensure sustainability.
- “SPIN aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises food security, economic resilience, and sustainable infrastructure development,” Utsev said.
The minister further explained that SPIN consists of four key components: institutional strengthening, irrigation modernisation, improved dam operations and safety, and project management to ensure effective coordination, monitoring, and accountability during implementation.
The World Bank also highlighted the importance of the project in improving economic opportunities and strengthening Nigeria’s water management systems.
The World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mr. Mathew Verghis, said recent economic reforms had helped stabilise the economy and placed the country on a new growth trajectory.
- “The challenge is translating this start into growth, jobs, and opportunities for all Nigerians,” Verghis said.
Backstory
On March 9, 2025, Nairametrics reported that the Federal Government inaugurated the Steering Committee for the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project, a $500 million initiative backed by the World Bank.
During the inauguration of the committee, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation said the SPIN project builds on the success of the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) project, which rehabilitated about 32,000 hectares of irrigation schemes and empowered Water Users Associations (WUAs) across the country.
- “Through the project, he emphasized, Nigeria is targeting 500,000 hectares of irrigated agriculture, 30 Gigawatts of sustainable energy, and strengthened resilience to floods, droughts, and climate change,” Prof. Joseph Utsev said at the time.
What you should know
The SPIN project is a major federal initiative aimed at improving irrigation, dam safety, and sustainable water management in Nigeria, while supporting food security, climate resilience, and economic growth.
- SPIN builds on the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) project, which reached about 1.7 million people and covered 14,000 hectares, while encouraging private sector participation to expand irrigation and improve agricultural productivity.
- Nigeria has about 400 dams, many of which are affected by siltation, while roughly a quarter of newly irrigated land is lost each year due to poor maintenance and water management.
- SPIN aims to tackle these challenges through improved dam operations and stronger water management systems.
The project seeks to address these challenges through improved dam operations, modern irrigation systems, and empowered Water Users Associations (WUAs) to oversee the operation and maintenance of facilities.
Source: nairametrics.com
