The Nigerian government, in collaboration with the World Bank, has launched the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project, a $500 million initiative designed to enhance food security, water management, and climate resilience across the country.

Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, emphasized the alignment of the project with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He noted, “Nigeria is committed to improving its food, water, and energy security.”

The SPIN project builds on the success of the previous Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) project, which rehabilitated around 32,000 hectares of irrigation schemes.

The new initiative aims to irrigate 500,000 hectares and generate 30 Gigawatts of sustainable energy, strengthening the country’s resilience to climate challenges.

Minister of Agriculture, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, highlighted the importance of measurable outcomes in such projects, stating, “In every programme we implement, we must ask: What specific results will this project deliver?”The World Bank’s support extends beyond infrastructure, also focusing on gender-inclusive economic growth, as seen in its collaboration with Do Take Action.

The upcoming Women’s Conference 2025 will focus on empowering women-led businesses in Nigeria, advocating for a 30% affirmative procurement quota.

This comprehensive approach signals a significant step toward transforming Nigeria’s agricultural, water, and energy sectors while promoting inclusive economic growth.