Water, Power ministries sign MOU on $500m irrigation, hydropower project
By Tosin Kolade
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 (SPIN) project.
The 500 million dollars World Bank SPIN project aims to enhance dam safety and improve water resource management for hydropower and irrigation across 25 states.
At the signing ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, said that the joint effort reflects the synergy required to implement transformational projects.
Utsev stated that the ministry’s mandate includes boosting food production, creating jobs for women and youth, and strengthening Nigeria’s economy.
“Today’s occasion marks another step towards achieving these goals and repositioning the country,” he stated.
He said that the initiative, approved by President BolaTinubu, reflected the administration’s commitment to inter-ministerial collaboration for delivering democratic dividends to Nigerians.
Utsev also acknowledged the ongoing support of the World Bank, describing it as a trusted partner in Nigeria’s development journey.
He cited initiatives like the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) project, concluding in January 2025, as foundations for innovative solutions in water and agriculture.
“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.
As Chairman of the SPIN Preparatory Team, Utsev assured stakeholders of the ministries’ and partners’ full commitment to the successful implementation of the project.
“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.
Earlier, the Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, noted the importance of the partnership in achieving sustainable hydropower development and enhancing energy security across Nigeria.
He noted that while Nigeria is rich in water resources across its river basins, only about 2 per cent of the country’s estimated 14 gigawatts of hydropower potential has been harnessed.
“The signing of this MOU is a key step in ensuring Nigeria’s energy future is powered by clean, renewable sources, in line with the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan.
“We aim to optimise our natural resources, diversify our energy mix, and tackle climate change,” Adelabu said.
He emphasised that fully exploiting this potential could transform Nigeria’s energy landscape and providing sustainable power for millions.
He said under Tinubu’s leadership, the administration has committed to addressing energy challenges by prioritising energy’s vital role in economic growth and job creation.
“As part of the Renewed Hope Agenda, the government has introduced several legislative and policy measures, including the Electricity Act 2023, which decentralises the electricity market and allows subnational governments to participate.”
Adelabu also stressed the role of distributed energy systems in enhancing reliability.
“Decentralised power generation enables local governments and private investors to develop embedded energy systems, reducing risks to national grid infrastructure.
“This, alongside our renewable energy potential, especially in solar and hydropower, forms the foundation of our sustainable energy strategy.”
He pointed out that Nigeria’s northern states, with 8 to 12 hours of sunshine daily, offer opportunities for solar power, while hydropower remains key to the energy mix.
Adelabu reaffirmed that harnessing hydropower potential and fostering partnerships would ensure a reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy future for Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 25 states have shown interest in SPIN project; Benue, Katsina, Akwa Ibom, Niger, Gombe, Sokoto, Enugu, Bauchi, Cross River, and Nasarawa.
Others are Ekiti, Kebbi, Plateau, Ebonyi, Zamfara, Abia, Kwara, Imo, Taraba, Kano, Delta, Osun, Jigawa, Edo, and Kogi. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
Earlier, Mrs Elizabeth Ugoh, Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation at the ministry, emphasised that validating irrigation standards would help tackle key development challenges in Nigeria.
Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, SON Director General, announced the release of two key documents to enhance national standardisation.
Okeke noted that these efforts supported Nigeria’s commitment to the UN’s SDGs and encouraged participants to contribute their expertise in developing a framework for sustainable irrigation water safety.