The Federal Government on Tuesday flagged off the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project, a $500 million initiative aimed at strengthening irrigation, improving dam safety and boosting hydropower generation to enhance food security and economic growth.

Speaking at the launch in Abuja, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Terlumun Utsev, described the project as a strategic intervention designed to modernise Nigeria’s irrigation systems and improve the management of water resources.

Utsev said the SPIN project, supported by the World Bank, would enhance the safety and operations of dams across the country while expanding irrigation infrastructure to improve agricultural productivity.

According to the minister, the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in addressing the national emergency on food security declared by the administration.

He noted that the project would help Nigeria reduce its dependence on rain-fed agriculture, especially in the face of climate change, erratic rainfall patterns and growing food demand driven by population growth.

“The SPIN Project represents a major strategic intervention by the Federal Government to strengthen dam safety and water resources management for improved irrigation and hydropower generation,” Utsev said.

He explained that the project is structured around four key components, including institutional strengthening for water resources management, irrigation modernisation, improvement of dam operations and safety, and effective project management.

The minister said the irrigation modernisation component would focus on rehabilitating and upgrading existing irrigation facilities while introducing more efficient water delivery systems for farmers.

He commended state governments that had already met the participation requirements for the project, including establishing frameworks for Water Users Associations and providing institutional support.

The minister urged other states yet to meet the eligibility criteria to take the necessary steps to join the programme, noting that the opportunities provided by the SPIN project are significant for agricultural development.

Utsev stressed that the success of the initiative would depend on strong collaboration among the Federal Government, state governments, farmers, development partners and the private sector.

“With modern irrigation systems, improved dam management and stronger institutions, Nigeria will achieve greater food security, sustainable agricultural growth and stronger resilience to climate challenges,” he said.

Ealier, in his welcome address, Utsev, said the project is designed to transform agriculture by enabling year-round farming, strengthening agro-industrial activities and improving livelihoods across rural communities.

According to him, the project integrates water resources management, irrigation modernisation, energy supply and environmental sustainability to stimulate agricultural productivity and economic diversification.

“The SPIN project is conceived as a transformative platform that links irrigation modernisation with sustainable power solutions to enable year-round agriculture, expand agro-industrial activities and stimulate rural economies,” the minister said.

He explained that following the inaugural steering committee meeting, government agencies and development partners intensified coordination efforts that led to the declaration of the project’s effectiveness on October 27, 2025.

Utsev said the latest meeting provides stakeholders an opportunity to review progress recorded so far, address emerging challenges and outline strategies for the next phase of implementation.

He identified three critical priorities for the success of the project , technical readiness, environmental sustainability and reliable power integration.

The minister urged participating states to ensure that project designs, feasibility studies and dam safety frameworks meet global standards in order to attract financing and ensure timely execution.

On environmental sustainability, he stressed the need for irrigation expansion to align with climate resilience and responsible watershed management, noting that long-term agricultural productivity depends on sustainable land-use practices.

Utsev also underscored the importance of close collaboration with the Ministry of Power to ensure irrigation schemes are supported with reliable electricity through grid, embedded or renewable energy sources.

“This is critical for driving agro-processing, storage and rural industrialisation,” he added.

The minister described the steering committee as the apex decision-making body for the SPIN intervention, with the responsibility of ensuring policy coordination, accountability and alignment among federal and state stakeholders.