Abuja, Nigeria – March 11, 2026 – The Federal Government today officially flagged off the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project, a significant initiative backed by a $500 million investment from the World Bank. The project is designed to accelerate food production and substantially increase power generation capacity within the country.

The ceremonial flag-off, conducted in Abuja by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Joseph Utsev, underscored the project's strategic importance in strengthening dam safety and enhancing water resources management. These improvements are critical for boosting irrigation and hydropower generation, thereby supporting national food security, fostering economic growth, and promoting environmental sustainability.

Minister Utsev, who also chairs the SPIN Project Steering Committee, articulated that the launch signifies a pivotal moment in Nigeria's commitment to modernizing its irrigation infrastructure, reinforcing water governance, and improving the agricultural output and livelihoods of millions of farmers.

“Today’s flag-off 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,” Utsev stated.

The project is set to introduce advanced irrigation systems, optimize dam management practices, and strengthen relevant institutions. These measures are expected to enhance agricultural productivity and build resilience against the impacts of climate change. The SPIN Project is closely aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes food security, economic resilience, and infrastructure development.

Utsev further highlighted the urgency of transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector, citing the President's declaration of a national emergency on food security. He emphasized the need to move beyond rain-fed agriculture and invest in modern, climate-resilient irrigation systems in response to increasing climate variability, erratic rainfall patterns, and rising food demand driven by population growth.

The SPIN Project encompasses four key components: institutional strengthening and capacity building for water resources management; irrigation modernization; improvements in dam operations and safety; and comprehensive project management to ensure effective coordination and accountability.

Representing the Minister of Power, the Permanent Secretary, Mahmuda Mamman, stressed the importance of robust collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure the swift and effective implementation of the project. Mathew Verghis, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, affirmed that water security, food security, and energy are fundamental pillars of sustainable economic growth.

Verghis noted that the SPIN Project builds upon the achievements of the preceding Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) project. It is slated to rehabilitate approximately 14,000 hectares of irrigated land and aims to attract significant private sector investment in irrigation development. Saroj Jha, World Bank Global Director for Water, also pointed to the necessity of improving water storage infrastructure, observing that Nigeria possesses over 400 dams, many of which require rehabilitation to enhance their capacity for managing both flood and drought conditions.