The newly approved $500 million World Bank loan will benefit at least 25 state governments, aimed at improving water resource management for hydropower and irrigation.
On Tuesday, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and the Ministry of Power, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Bank to implement the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria project.
The signing ceremony was graced by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, and the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Special Adviser to the Minister of Power on Strategic Communication and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, in Abuja.
The states benefiting from the initiative include 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.
The statement highlighted that the initiative aims to enhance dam safety, improve water resource management, and strengthen hydropower and irrigation systems across the country.
“The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and the Ministry of Power have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the implementation of the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria project.
“The 500 million dollar World Bank SPIN project aims to enhance dam safety and improve water resource management for hydropower and irrigation across 25 states, the statement read.
Commenting, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu emphasized the significance of the partnership in advancing sustainable hydropower development and strengthening Nigeria’s energy security.
He revealed that despite the country’s abundant water resources, only 2 percent of Nigeria’s 14-gigawatt hydropower potential has been harnessed, leaving significant opportunities unexplored.
He said, “Hydropower currently contributes about 20 per cent of Nigeria’s grid supply, with a potential estimated at 14GW (14000 megawatts) of which only 15 per cent has been tapped.
“This collaboration underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to leveraging our natural resources for sustainable development.
“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 MoU as a key step toward harnessing renewable energy, optimizing natural resources, and diversifying the energy mix in line with the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan.
He noted the initiative’s potential to transform the energy landscape and provide sustainable power to millions.
Additionally, he mentioned that under the current federal government administration, measures like the Electricity Act 2023 are decentralizing the electricity market and facilitating the participation of subnational governments.
Adelabu stressed that decentralized power systems play a crucial role in enhancing reliability and minimizing risks to the national grid.
He also highlighted the solar potential in northern Nigeria, which receives 8 to 12 hours of daily sunshine, and reaffirmed the commitment to utilizing hydropower and fostering partnerships to ensure a sustainable energy future.
Utsev described the SPIN project as crucial for boosting food production, creating jobs, and strengthening Nigeria’s economy.
He praised the World Bank as a trusted development partner, emphasizing the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria project, which concludes in January 2025, as a key foundation for innovative solutions in water and agriculture.
As Chairman of the SPIN Preparatory Team, Utsev reaffirmed the full commitment of the ministries and partners to the project’s success, expressing confidence in its ability to address Nigeria’s irrigation needs and deliver substantial benefits to citizens.
“We are confident that the SPIN project will build on this legacy by boosting food production and meeting the irrigation needs of our growing population,” he added.
“Our collective efforts have brought us to this significant moment, and I am confident that SPIN will deliver the tangible benefits Nigerians are eagerly anticipating,” he said.
