The federal government has inaugurated the steering committee for the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project to enhance national food security, water management, and climate resilience.

The project, valued at $500 million and supported by the World Bank, aims to deliver large-scale multi-purpose infrastructure for irrigation and hydropower generation.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting in Abuja on Friday, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, who co-chairs the committee alongside the Minister of Power, said the initiative aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

According to the minister, the SPIN project builds on the success of the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) project, which helped rehabilitate about 32,000 hectares of irrigation schemes and empowered Water Users Associations (WUAs) across the country.

“Through this project, we are targeting 500,000 hectares of irrigated agriculture, 30 gigawatts of sustainable energy, and strengthened resilience to floods, droughts, and climate change.

“The project consists of four key components: institutional strengthening, irrigation modernisation, dam safety and operational improvements, and effective project management.

“It will be implemented under two models: Model 1, which focuses on federal government-managed schemes in collaboration with interested states, and Model 2, which supports state-owned irrigation schemes,” the minister said.

He said that of the 34 states that expressed interest in participating in the project, 27 pledged to meet the readiness criteria, and 17 states have been confirmed qualified.

Mr Utsev said the states satisfied three key requirements: enacting a WUA law at the state level, allocating budgetary provisions for WUA operations and maintenance, and establishing counterpart funding.

He noted that the steering committee, composed of ministers from relevant sectors and commissioners from participating states, would serve as the apex policy and decision-making body for the project.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, described the SPIN project as timely, noting that it would build on the achievements of the TRIMING initiative to further transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

Kyari commended the World Bank for its continued support towards sustainable development across various sectors, but emphasised the need to focus more on measuring concrete outcomes.

“While our rapidly growing population is often viewed as a burden, I see it as a powerful opportunity.

“With strategic planning and the right investments, this population can become a major force for innovation and economic growth. Let us not forget that Nigeria remains one of the fastest-growing economies in the world,” Mr Kyari said.

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to sustainable energy through hydropower, outlining it as key to achieving energy and food security.

Mr Adelabu, represented by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Mahmadu Mamman, said the ministry was responsible for preparing project memos to attract private sector investment into hydropower development.

“This aligns with the broader national vision that sees energy not just as a commodity, but as the foundation for growth and progress,” he said.

The minister urged committee members to remain committed to the project’s success, assuring them of the ministry’s readiness to address any challenges.

The World Bank Task Team Leader for the SPIN project, Chinedu Umoru, praised the federal government for its strong commitment to the project’s implementation.

The SPIN project is expected to boost Nigeria’s irrigation capacity, ensure dam safety, and revitalise rural economies in line with the country’s long-term development goals.

(NAN)