The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has revealed that the Federal Government has initiated the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project, a $500 million World Bank-supported initiative and a flagship of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen national food security and energy diversification across the country. 

Speaking at the second meeting of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) in Abuja, the minister stated that the project will link the modernisation of irrigation systems with reliable power solutions, enabling year-round agricultural production and stimulating rural economies across the country.

According to Prof. Utsev, the SPIN Project became formally effective on 27th October 2025, following efforts to strengthen institutional coordination and ensure environmental compliance. 

The initiative prioritises technical readiness and the empowerment of Water Users’ Associations to sustain irrigation schemes. 

Integrating water, agriculture, and energy, the government aims to expand agro-industrial activities and improve the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians. 

Collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Power is central to the strategy, ensuring that water resources are managed responsibly while providing cost-effective power for agro-processing.

In his remarks, the Minister of Power, Dr Adebayo Adelabu, noted that the project also focuses on strengthening dam safety and enhancing climate-resilient hydropower generation. 

Although the project faced initial timeline shifts, the Ministry of Power has expressed its readiness to accelerate implementation before the December 2029 closing date. 

With 26 states already meeting eligibility criteria, the SPIN Project represents a transformative shift in Nigeria’s approach to energy and food security, leveraging both grid-based and renewable energy solutions to support a modern agricultural value chain.

Source: NAN