The Federal Government is seeking increased support from the World Bank to upgrade Nigeria's dams and irrigation systems efforts expected to significantly benefit smallholder farmers and agri-businesses.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, made the appeal during a meeting with a World Bank team led by Senior Water Resources Specialist, Mr. Chinedu Umolu, in Abuja.
Utsev said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu's drive to ensure food security, create jobs, and expand hydropower all of which directly impact SMEs in agriculture and energy.
"With more investment in dams and irrigation, we can boost food production, strengthen agribusiness value chains, and improve livelihoods," he said.
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He noted that several states are eager to join the new Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria (SPIN) project, underlining the need for broader funding to ensure widespread implementation.
Umolu applauded the government's commitment and announced the successful completion of the TRIMING project, which modernised irrigation and increased productivity in key farming areas.
He assured that the World Bank will continue supporting transformative projects like SPIN to strengthen Nigeria's agricultural ecosystem and power infrastructure for long-term growth.
