The Federal Government, in collaboration with the World Bank, on Friday launched the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project, a \$500 million initiative aimed at enhancing irrigation, energy generation, and water resources management across the country.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Project Steering Committee held in Abuja, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, described the project as a strategic vehicle under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for addressing Nigeria’s food, water, and energy security.
“This project represents a vital instrument for enhancing national food security, promoting rural livelihoods, and strengthening Nigeria’s resilience to the impacts of climate change,” Utsev noted.
He also noted that the project would build on the successes of the earlier Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) Project.
According to him, the SPIN project aims to irrigate up to 500,000 hectares of farmland, generate 30 gigawatts of sustainable energy, and improve the country’s capacity to withstand climate-related challenges such as floods and droughts.
The minister explained that the project is structured around four key components: institutional strengthening, irrigation modernization, dam safety improvements, and effective project management.
According to the minister, 34 states had expressed interest in participating in the project following a call for proposals in February 2024. Of these, 27 states pledged to meet readiness conditions, and 17 states were eventually deemed eligible based on criteria including the establishment of Water Users Associations (WUAs) laws, budget allocations for maintenance, and provision of counterpart funding.
He said, “These 17 states are now ready to implement the project under either of two models,” Utsev explained. “Model 1 targets federal River Basin Development Authority-managed schemes, while Model 2 focuses on state-owned irrigation schemes.”
Utsev also commended the SPIN Interim Project Preparatory Team for laying the groundwork over the past 15 months, conducting field visits, preparing key documents, and assessing technical suitability across proposed sites.
The Project Steering Committee, co-chaired by the Minister of Power, includes representatives from the Ministries of Agriculture, Environment, Budget and Economic Planning, as well as commissioners from participating states and other key stakeholders.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation will serve as Secretary of the Committee.
Utsev emphasized that the inauguration of the committee marks a statutory requirement and a condition for the activation of the project’s financing.
“With full cooperation of all stakeholders, SPIN will contribute significantly to revitalising our rural economy and achieving our national development goals,” he added.
The SPIN project, according to the minister, is expected to play a pivotal role in transforming Nigeria’s irrigation and hydropower landscape, furthering national efforts to tackle poverty, food insecurity, and the adverse effects of climate change.
