President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has secured a significant $500 million loan from the World Bank to support the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) initiative. This project aims to address challenges associated with climate change.
During a meeting in Abuja, Chakib Jenane, the Regional Director of Sustainable Infrastructure Development for West and Central Africa at the World Bank, shared insights about the loan with Prof. Joseph Utsev, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation. The SPIN project received official approval during a World Bank Board meeting on September 26 and is set to launch in January 2025.
Jenane explained that the initiative will target climate-related issues, including floods and droughts, by enhancing dam safety, improving water resource management, and expanding irrigation services. He highlighted that approximately 950,000 people, particularly farmers and livestock producers, will benefit from this project.
The World Bank director emphasized the importance of Nigeria meeting the remaining conditions to ensure successful implementation of the project by the January 2025 deadline. Additionally, the team provided updates on the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) project, which is nearing completion, and discussed the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH) program, which requires the involvement of more states.
Jenane also encouraged the establishment of a National WASH Fund, which is a key objective under the Disbursement Linked Indicator (DLI) 1 of the SURWASH program.
In response, Minister Utsev expressed gratitude to the World Bank for its ongoing support for Nigeria’s development, particularly in sustainable infrastructure and water resource management. He assured the delegation that the Nigerian government would provide the necessary counterpart funding to ensure the effective execution of all World Bank-supported projects. Utsev reiterated the ministry’s commitment to meeting the timeline for the TRIMING Project, with a target completion date of January 2025.
Dr. Bello Goronyo, the Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, also conveyed his appreciation to the World Bank for endorsing the SPIN project and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to its success through collaborative efforts.
