The World Bank and the Federal Government of Nigeria have launched the $500 million Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project to improve irrigation infrastructure, strengthen dam safety, and support food security across the country. Speaking at the inauguration, Joseph Utsev said the initiative will modernize irrigation systems, enhance hydropower development, and promote sustainable water management in both rural and urban communities. The project also aligns with the economic priorities of Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda.
The SPIN project focuses on four major components: institutional strengthening, irrigation modernization, improved dam operations and safety, and project management. It also promotes participatory irrigation management through Water Users Associations that will oversee the operation and maintenance of irrigation facilities to ensure long-term sustainability.
According to Mathew Verghis, the project aims to translate recent economic reforms into tangible growth, jobs, and opportunities. SPIN builds on the success of the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) initiative, which expanded irrigation and improved agricultural productivity while strengthening resilience to climate-related risks such as floods and droughts.
