By Abdullahi Lukman
Nigeria’s irrigation and hydropower sectors have gained a major boost with official launch of the $500 million Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project.
The project was launched on May 9, 2025, in Abuja, by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, with the goal of optimizing water resources for sustainable energy and agricultural development.
Adelabu, represented by his ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Mahmuda Mamman, emphasized the importance of hydropower in Nigeria’s energy transition, stating that the project would strengthen the country’s resilience to climate change while contributing to both food and energy security.
The SPIN project, supported by the World Bank, is to develop large-scale infrastructure for irrigation and hydropower, targeting 500,000 hectares for irrigation and a capacity of 30 gigawatts for sustainable energy.
The project aims to reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources and improve water management in the face of climate challenges.
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Prof. Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, who co-chairs the project’s Steering Committee, highlighted that the initiative would build on the success of previous projects such as the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING).
He added that the project would improve food security while also contributing to energy production.
The SPIN project will operate under two models: federal government-managed schemes in partnership with states, and state-owned irrigation projects.
Seventeen states have met the criteria to participate, having enacted supportive legislation and committed to funding.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, praised the project’s potential to modernize Nigeria’s agricultural sector and improve rural economies.
The initiative is expected to create thousands of jobs, enhance water governance, and improve energy access for rural communities.
The World Bank’s Task Team Leader, Mr. Chinedu Umoru, commended Nigeria’s leadership and expressed confidence that the project would achieve its transformative goals for the country.
