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 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, Joseph Utsev, said the joint effort reflects the synergy required to implement transformational projects.

He said the initiative, approved by President BolaTinubu, reflected the administration’s commitment to inter-ministerial collaboration to deliver democratic dividends to Nigerians.

Mr 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, Mr Utsev assured stakeholders of the ministries’ and partners’ full commitment to the successful implementation of the project.

Earlier, the Minister of Power, 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 two per cent of its 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,” Mr Adelabu said.

He emphasised that fully exploiting this potential could transform Nigeria’s energy landscape and provide sustainable power for millions.

“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,” said the minister.

Mr Adelabu also stressed the role of distributed energy systems in enhancing reliability.

He pointed out that Nigeria’s northern states, with eight to 12 hours of sunshine daily, offer opportunities for solar power, while hydropower remains key to the energy mix.

Mr Adelabu reaffirmed that harnessing hydropower potential and fostering partnerships would ensure a reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy future for Nigeria.

Twenty-five states have shown interest in the SPIN project, including 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)