FG flags off $500m World Bank funded SPIN project

….to accelerate food production – Minister

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – THE Federal Government, Tuesday, flagged off the $500 million World Bank funded Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria, SPIN, Project to accelerate food production and increase power generation.

The official flag-off of the Project was done by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Joseph Utsev in Abuja.

Utsev who is also is the Chairman of the Steering Committee of the SPIN Project explained that the SPIN Project represents a major strategic intervention by the Federal Government with objective of strengthening Dam safety and Management of Water Resources for improved irrigation and Hydropower to enable contribute more effectively to national food security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.

The flag-off of the SPIN Project had in attendance the State Governments, Ministries of Agriculture and Food Security; Water Resources and Sanitation, Power; the World Bank, Water Users Association, media,and other stakeholders.

He said: “Today’s flag-off therefore represents much more than the launch of a development project. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in Nigeria’s efforts to modernize irrigation, strengthen water governance, enhance agricultural productivity, and improve the livelihoods of millions of farmers across the country.

“With modern irrigation systems, improved dam management, stronger institutions, and the collective commitment of all stakeholders, I am confident that Nigeria will achieve greater food security, sustainable agricultural growth, and enhanced resilience to climate challenges.

“The SPIN Project, supported by the World Bank with financing cost of USD 500 million, is also designed to enhance support for sustainable energy development, and strengthen Nigeria’s resilience to floods, droughts, and climate variability.

“This initiative is fully aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, which places strong emphasis on food security, economic resilience, and sustainable infrastructure development.

“As you will recall, Mr. President has declared a national emergency on food security, underscoring the urgent need to transform Nigeria’s agricultural production systems and ensure reliable access to food for all Nigerians.

“In this context, irrigation development becomes not only a strategic priority but a national point of concern. With increasing climate variability, erratic rainfall patterns, and growing food demand driven by population growth, Nigeria must decisively move beyond dependence on rain-fed agriculture and invest in modern, efficient, and climate-resilient irrigation systems.

“The SPIN Project has four major components – Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building for Water Resources Management; Irrigation Modernization; Improvement in Dam Operations and Enhancement of Dam Safety and; Project Management, for effective coordination, monitoring, evaluation, and accountability in project implementation.”

However, the Minister urged State Governments and other stakeholders to ensure implementation of the project, saying one institution alone cannot achieve the goals of the Project.

“Your leadership and partnership are critical to the success of this initiative therefore, I encourage other states that are yet to fulfilled the eligibility criteria, to take the necessary steps and join this transformative programme. The opportunities presented by SPIN are significant, and the Federal Government remains committed to supporting all states that are prepared to meet the required conditions”, he added.

Meanwhile,the Co-Chairman, Steering Committee, SPIN Project and. Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mahmuda Mamman, in his opening remarks said, “Our commitment and dedication members of the steering committee is therefore critical to accelerating the implementation.”

In a goodwill message, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, noted that, “The reforms implemented over the past few years have helped stabilize the economy and put Nigeria on a path toward a very different economic trajectory.

“The question now is how to translate this strong start into tangible economic progress—growth and jobs that all Nigerians can benefit from.

“The World Bank Group’s new Country Partnership Framework, our strategy for working in Nigeria from 2026 to 2032, is being finalised in collaboration with the government. It is organized around seven key questions, with a focus on jobs and economic opportunities. Water security, food security, and energy remain foundational elements for sustainable economic growth and development.

“The new framework also reflects a shift in our approach. We are not only focusing on the project pipeline but also engaging more deeply with states, where implementation happens and results are felt. Additionally, we are more deliberate about mobilizing private capital, recognizing that public resources alone will never be enough.”

According to him, the SPIN project already reflects these shifts in both its design and execution. SPIN builds on the successful TRIMING project, a transformational irrigation program scheduled to begin in June 2025, which will reach over 1.7 million people and bring 14,000 hectares under irrigation, surpassing its original targets.

He also added that, “SPIN expands this model by strengthening the legal foundations for Water Users Associations through state leadership, irrigation service fees, and participatory irrigation management. It also supports the enabling environment for hydropower investment via a national hydropower master plan and prioritizes public-private partnership projects.

“Furthermore, SPIN will co-invest with AGRO on a new operation, which recently concluded negotiations to leverage aggregators and talent along key agricultural value chains.

“The project aims to rehabilitate 14,000 hectares of irrigated land and, as demonstrated under TRIMING, is expected to leverage additional private investments for farmer-led irrigation development.”

Meanwhile, the World Bank’s Global Director for Water , Saroj Jha, highlighted key priorities for the SPIN Project, pointing lessons from global experiences and strategies to enhance water security.

He said: “The uniqueness of these projects lies in three main areas: water storage, sustainability, and private sector participation.

“Nigeria has over 400 dams, many of which suffer from siltation and lack of maintenance, reducing their storage capacity. Water storage is our best defence against both floods and droughts, so improving existing structures must be a priority.”

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