The Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Bank for the implementation of the $500 million Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project. The initiative, which aims to enhance water resource management, improve dam safety, and boost hydropower and irrigation, will benefit no fewer than 25 states.
The signing ceremony in Abuja was attended by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, and the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu. States included in the project are Benue, Katsina, Akwa Ibom, Niger, Gombe, Sokoto, Enugu, Bauchi, Cross River, Nasarawa, Ekiti, Kebbi, Plateau, Ebonyi, Zamfara, Abia, Kwara, Imo, Taraba, Kano, Delta, Osun, Jigawa, Edo, and Kogi.
In a statement released by Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser to the Minister of Power on Strategic Communication and Media Relations, the project was described as a transformative effort to address Nigeria’s untapped hydropower potential, which accounts for only 2% of the country’s estimated 14-gigawatt capacity.
Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu emphasized the significance of the partnership in advancing sustainable hydropower development and strengthening Nigeria’s energy security. He noted that hydropower contributes approximately 20% of the national grid’s supply, but only 15% of the potential 14,000 megawatts has been harnessed.
“This collaboration underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to leveraging our natural resources for sustainable development,” Adelabu said. “Through SPIN, we aim to optimize water resources to provide clean and reliable energy while supporting irrigation and agriculture for enhanced food security.”
Adelabu highlighted the project’s alignment with the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan and its role in diversifying the nation’s energy mix. He also noted the decentralization of the electricity market under the Electricity Act 2023, which enables state governments to participate in energy development.
Prof. Joseph Utsev described the SPIN project as a critical step toward boosting food production, creating jobs, and strengthening Nigeria’s economy. He commended the World Bank for its continued partnership and cited the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria project, which concludes in January 2025, as a solid foundation for SPIN.
“The SPIN project will build on this legacy by boosting food production and meeting the irrigation needs of our growing population,” Utsev stated.
Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the success of the project, expressing confidence in its potential to deliver tangible benefits to Nigerians through sustainable power, enhanced irrigation systems, and improved agricultural productivity.
With its focus on renewable energy, water resource optimization, and food security, the SPIN project is poised to transform Nigeria’s energy and agricultural landscapes while fostering economic growth across the nation.
