FG moves to link power, irrigation to boost food production
The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to boost food production and rural industrialization through the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project, an initiative designed to combine irrigation
The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to boost food production and rural industrialization through the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project, an initiative designed to combine irrigation development with reliable electricity supply for agriculture and agro-processing.
At the second meeting of the project’s Steering Committee held in Abuja, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev said the initiative represents one of the most strategic interventions of the current administration to drive food security and economic diversification.
Utsev explained that the project seeks to modernise irrigation systems while integrating sustainable power solutions to enable year-round farming, expand agro-industrial activities and create jobs across rural communities.
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He noted that the project became effective on October 27, 2025 after key implementation benchmarks were met, including strengthened institutional coordination, improved technical readiness of irrigation schemes and enhanced environmental and social safeguards.
The minister said the meeting would review progress so far, resolve emerging challenges and set clear implementation priorities to ensure the project delivers on its objectives.
He urged participating states to ensure that feasibility studies, engineering designs, dam safety instruments and safeguard documents meet the required standards to attract financing and ensure timely execution.
Utsev also stressed the importance of environmental sustainability and climate resilience in irrigation development, noting that responsible water and land management would be critical to the long-term success of the programme.
Speaking at the meeting, Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, said the project is key to strengthening dam safety, improving water resource management and expanding hydropower potential in the country.
Adelabu disclosed that a World Bank Implementation Support Mission conducted in November 2025 rated the project’s progress as satisfactory, citing strong collaboration between the federal and participating state governments.
He added that although the project received World Bank approval in September 2024, it only became operational in October 2025, stressing the need for stakeholders to accelerate implementation to meet key milestones.
The minister reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Ministry of Power to the project’s success and urged participating states to fully equip their project implementation units to deliver on assigned responsibilities.
