FG Flags-off $500m SPIN Project

The Federal Government has officially flagged off the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project, a $500 million initiative designed to strengthen dam safety, expand irrigation infrastructure, and enhance hydropower development nationwide.

Speaking at the launch in Abuja, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, described SPIN as a strategic intervention to improve water resource management and advance Nigeria’s food security agenda.

Utsev said the project, supported by the World Bank, will modernize irrigation systems, optimize dam operations, and integrate sustainable power generation to boost agricultural productivity and economic growth.

The minister emphasized that SPIN aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritizes food security, economic resilience, and sustainable infrastructure development.

Highlighting the urgent need to move beyond rain-fed agriculture, Utsev said, “With increasing climate variability, erratic rainfall patterns, and growing food demand, Nigeria must invest decisively in modern, climate-resilient irrigation systems.”

“SPIN is structured around four components: institutional strengthening for water resources management, modernization of irrigation infrastructure, improvement of dam operations and safety, and effective project management”

The minister underscored participatory irrigation management through Water Users Associations (WUAs), which will ensure effective operation, maintenance, and sustainability of irrigation facilities.

He commended states that have met the programme’s participation requirements and encouraged others to take the necessary steps to join the initiative.

“The opportunities presented by SPIN are significant, and the Federal Government remains committed to supporting all states prepared to meet the required conditions,” Utsev added.

The World Bank Country Director in Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, said recent economic reforms have stabilized the economy and positioned Nigeria on a new growth trajectory, emphasizing the need to convert these gains into jobs and inclusive economic opportunities.

Verghis explained that the bank’s new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) 2026–2032 focuses on job creation, water security, food security, and energy, while also engaging more deeply with states and mobilizing private sector investment.

He noted that SPIN builds on the successful Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) Project, which reached over 1.7 million people and brought 14,000 hectares under irrigation, surpassing its original targets.

According to Verghis, SPIN strengthens legal and institutional frameworks for WUAs, promotes participatory irrigation management, supports hydropower investment, and encourages public-private partnerships to expand farmer-led irrigation development.

The programme has generated strong state-level interest, with 31 states expressing interest and 23 already meeting eligibility criteria and moving toward technical implementation and funding disbursement.

World Bank Global Director for Water, Saroj Kumar Jha, highlighted SPIN’s focus on improving water storage, optimizing dam performance, and enhancing irrigation infrastructure to support food security and economic growth.

Jha stressed the importance of sustainable irrigation management, noting that strengthened WUAs enable farmers to maintain infrastructure and generate service revenue, while lessons from countries like India, Indonesia, and Vietnam demonstrate the efficiency of participatory management.

He also emphasized improving the economic value of water, noting that countries such as China generate up to $4 in economic output per cubic metre of water, while inefficient water use in other developing countries limits productivity and income for farmers.

“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 concluded.

Georgina Humphrey, Edited By Grace Namiji