The Nigerian Government has inaugurated the Steering Committee for the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project, a $500 million World Bank-supported initiative designed to enhance food security, water management, and climate resilience across the country.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting in Abuja on Friday, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, who co-chairs the Steering Committee with the Minister of Power, stated that the project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Utsev explained that the SPIN project builds on the achievements of the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) project, which successfully rehabilitated 32,000 hectares of irrigation schemes and empowered Water Users Associations (WUAs).
“Nigeria is committed to improving its food, water, and energy security. Through this project, we are targeting 500,000 hectares of irrigated agriculture, 30 gigawatts of sustainable energy, and enhanced resilience to floods, droughts, and climate change,” he said.
The project comprises four major components: institutional strengthening, irrigation modernisation, dam safety and operational improvements, and effective project management. It will be implemented through two models—one led by the federal government in collaboration with interested states, and the other supporting state-owned irrigation schemes.
Out of 34 states that expressed interest in participating, 27 pledged to meet the project’s readiness criteria, and 17 have been confirmed as qualified. These states have enacted WUA laws, provided budgetary support for WUA operations, and established counterpart funding.
The Minister commended the SPIN Interim Team for conducting field assessments and preparing key documents, including the project appraisal report, implementation manual, and an 18-month work plan.
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Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, described the SPIN project as timely, building on TRIMING’s legacy to further transform the agricultural sector.
Kyari praised the World Bank’s continued support but called for a sharper focus on measurable outcomes. “In every programme we implement, we must ask: what specific results will this project deliver? Clarity of purpose ensures that our efforts yield tangible and meaningful results,” he said.
He noted that Nigeria’s growing population should be seen as an asset rather than a burden, with the potential to drive innovation and economic expansion if supported by strategic investments.
SPIN Project Manager, Mr Ipinlaye Olaiya, said the World Bank–International Development Association (IDA) intervention would improve dam safety and support hydropower and irrigation infrastructure. He stressed the need for states to enact WUA legislation to fully participate in project implementation.
World Bank Task Team Leader, Mr Chinedu Umoru, commended the federal government’s leadership and expressed confidence in the project’s success, citing strong inter-ministerial collaboration and stakeholder commitment.
“With this level of commitment, I am confident that the objectives of the SPIN project will be achieved,” he said, urging all stakeholders to maintain momentum to ensure nationwide impact.
The SPIN project is expected to significantly enhance Nigeria’s irrigation capacity, secure dam infrastructure, and revitalise rural economies in alignment with national development priorities.
