Govt, World Bank unveil $500mfor hydropower

The Federal Government, in partnership with the World Bank, has inaugurated a $500 million Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project aimed at strengthening irrigation systems, improving dam safety and expanding hydropower generation across the country.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, who spoke at the inauguration yesterday, said the project would enhance food security, stimulate economic growth and promote environmental sustainability.

Utsev said the initiative would also improve Nigeria’s resilience to flooding, drought and climate variability while supporting modern water management in both rural and urban communities.

According to him, the SPIN project aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Nola Ahmed Tinubu which prioritises food security, economic resilience and sustainable infrastructure development.

He recalled that the President had earlier declared a national emergency on food security, stressing that improved irrigation and water management were critical to addressing the challenge.

The minister explained that the project has four major components: institutional strengthening, irrigation modernisation, improved dam operations and safety, and project management to ensure effective coordination, monitoring and accountability.

Utsev added that a key feature of the programme is participatory irrigation management through strengthened Water Users Associations (WUAs), which will oversee the operation and maintenance of irrigation facilities to ensure sustainability.

He commended states that had complied with the requirements for participation in the programme and urged others to join in order to benefit from the initiative.

Country Director of the World Bank in Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, said recent economic reforms had helped stabilise the country’s economy and placed it on a new trajectory.

He, however, noted that the challenge now was to translate the reforms into sustained growth, job creation and improved opportunities for Nigerians.

Verghis explained that the SPIN project builds on the achievements of the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) Project, which has reached about 1.7 million people and supported irrigation development on over 14,000 hectares of farmland.

According to him, the new initiative will also leverage private sector participation and partnerships to scale irrigation infrastructure and boost agricultural productivity.

Also speaking, Global Director for Water at the World Bank, Saroj Kumar Jha, highlighted the priorities of the SPIN project, including maximising water storage, ensuring sustainable irrigation systems and attracting private sector investment.

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Jha noted that many of Nigeria’s estimated 400 dams are affected by siltation, while nearly a quarter of newly irrigated land is lost annually due to poor maintenance.

He said the SPIN project would address these challenges through strengthened Water Users Associations and improved dam management.

Jha added that public investment alone would not be sufficient to meet Nigeria’s food security needs, stressing the importance of private sector participation to improve water efficiency, boost farmers’ incomes and increase productivity.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the World Bank Group to supporting Nigeria in sustainable irrigation development, water resource management and climate-resilient agriculture.