APPLY: FG Launches $500 Million World Bank SPIN Project to Boost Food Production and Hydropower in Nigeria

The Federal Government has officially launched a $500 million World Bank-funded initiative known as the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project, aimed at increasing agricultural productivity, strengthening water resource management, and expanding hydropower generation across the country.

The project was formally flagged off on Tuesday in Abuja by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Joseph Utsev, who also serves as Chairman of the Steering Committee overseeing the SPIN Project.

Speaking during the launch ceremony, the minister described the project as a major strategic intervention designed to enhance dam safety, improve irrigation systems, and strengthen water resource management to support Nigeria’s long-term food security and economic development.

According to him, the SPIN initiative will play a critical role in boosting agricultural production and improving the livelihoods of millions of farmers across Nigeria.

Utsev explained that the project represents a new phase in Nigeria’s effort to modernize irrigation infrastructure and improve water governance. He noted that with improved irrigation facilities, better dam management systems, and stronger institutional frameworks, the country will be able to significantly enhance agricultural productivity and build greater resilience against climate challenges.

He emphasized that the project is expected to contribute meaningfully to food security, sustainable agricultural growth, and environmental sustainability.

The launch event was attended by representatives of state governments, officials from the Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Food Security, Water Resources and Sanitation, and Power, as well as representatives of the World Bank, Water Users Associations, media organizations, and other stakeholders involved in the project.

Utsev further explained that the SPIN Project, supported by the World Bank with financing of $500 million, is designed not only to improve irrigation and water management but also to support sustainable energy development and enhance Nigeria’s resilience to floods, droughts, and climate variability.

He noted that the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritizes food security, economic resilience, and infrastructure development as key pillars of national growth.

The minister also recalled that the federal government had previously declared a national emergency on food security, stressing the urgent need to transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector and ensure stable food supply for the country’s growing population.

According to him, the development of modern irrigation infrastructure has become a national priority due to rising food demand, changing climate patterns, and increasing unpredictability in rainfall.

He explained that Nigeria must move beyond heavy dependence on rain-fed agriculture and adopt more efficient and climate-resilient irrigation systems that can support year-round farming.

The SPIN Project is structured around four major components. These include institutional strengthening and capacity building for water resource management, modernization of irrigation systems, improved dam operations and safety management, and effective project coordination through monitoring, evaluation, and accountability mechanisms.

Utsev also called on state governments and other stakeholders to actively participate in the project’s implementation, noting that collaboration will be essential to achieving its objectives.

He encouraged states that have not yet met the eligibility requirements to take the necessary steps to join the program, assuring them that the federal government remains committed to supporting states that fulfill the required conditions.

In his remarks, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who co-chairs the SPIN Project Steering Committee, emphasized the importance of strong coordination among stakeholders to ensure successful implementation. Adelabu was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power, Mahmuda Mamman.

Also speaking at the event, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, highlighted the significance of ongoing economic reforms in Nigeria and their role in stabilizing the economy.

He explained that the challenge ahead is to translate these reforms into measurable economic growth, job creation, and improved living standards for Nigerians.

Verghis noted that the World Bank Group is currently finalizing a new Country Partnership Framework for Nigeria covering the period from 2026 to 2032. The strategy focuses on expanding job opportunities and strengthening economic growth while prioritizing water security, food security, and energy development.

He added that the new framework places stronger emphasis on collaboration with state governments, where most development projects are implemented and where the benefits are most directly felt by citizens.

In addition, the World Bank intends to mobilize more private sector investment to complement public funding, recognizing that government resources alone cannot meet the scale of Nigeria’s development needs.

According to Verghis, the SPIN Project builds on the achievements of the earlier Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) Project, which successfully improved irrigation infrastructure and agricultural productivity in several parts of the country.

The SPIN initiative is expected to rehabilitate about 14,000 hectares of irrigated farmland and expand opportunities for farmer-led irrigation development while also attracting private sector investments in the agricultural value chain.

The World Bank’s Global Director for Water, Saroj Jha, also emphasized the importance of strengthening water storage capacity and improving the maintenance of existing dams across Nigeria.

He noted that the country currently has more than 400 dams, many of which are affected by siltation and inadequate maintenance, reducing their effectiveness in storing water.

Jha stressed that improved water storage systems are essential for managing floods and droughts, adding that strengthening these structures will be a key priority under the SPIN Project.

He further highlighted sustainability, improved water storage, and increased private sector participation as critical factors that will determine the long-term success of the initiative.

With the launch of the SPIN Project, the Federal Government and its development partners aim to accelerate agricultural development, strengthen water management systems, and support Nigeria’s broader efforts to achieve sustainable economic growth and national food security.