The Federal Government has announced that Nigeria has sufficient water resources to generate 14,000 megawatts of electricity.
This was revealed as the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, signed a memorandum of understanding for sustainable development.
The MOU focuses on implementing the World Bank’s Sustainable Power and Irrigation Project for Nigeria.
A statement from the media aide to the Minister of Power, Bolaji Tunji, revealed that the signing ceremony on Tuesday in Abuja marked a collaborative effort to harness Nigeria’s abundant hydropower potential.
The ministers signed the MoU in the presence of senior government officials, World Bank development partners, and other key stakeholders.
In his remarks, Adelabu emphasized the importance of the SPIN programme in diversifying Nigeria’s energy mix, improving energy security, and addressing climate change.
He noted that hydropower currently accounts for about 20 percent of Nigeria’s 5,000MW grid supply, with an estimated potential of 14,000MW.
However, he stated that only 15 percent of the 14,000MW potential has been harnessed so far.
“This collaboration underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to leveraging our natural resources for sustainable development.
“Through SPIN, we aim to optimise water resources to provide clean and reliable energy while supporting irrigation and agriculture for enhanced food security,” Adelabu said.
Similarly, the water resources minister emphasized the importance of integrating water and energy to drive socio-economic growth.
“This project will deliver the dividends of democracy that Nigerians are waiting for.
“The Federal Government, with support from the World Bank, remains dedicated to addressing developmental challenges in the country and delivering transformative results through innovative and strategic partnerships,“ he said.
