State participation across the SPIN project
The Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project supports national and state irrigation and drainage development programs from 2025 to 2031. The Federal Government has set a vision to reach 500,000 hectares of irrigated land by 2030, and state partnerships are essential to achieve that national ambition.
SPIN provides a platform to pilot a Federal Government-State partnership model. The geographic coverage is nationwide, but state participation is fully dependent on compliance with eligibility and readiness criteria. The project only supports the rehabilitation and expansion of existing schemes, not the development of new irrigation infrastructure.
In 2024, 31 states expressed formal interest in participating and were invited to document their compliance during stakeholder engagement workshops held across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Of these, 22 states have so far met the rigorous criteria required to advance into the next phase of the program.
Program focus
Federal-State partnership model
SPIN is designed to strengthen state readiness through a partnership framework that leverages existing federal and state irrigation assets. Eligible states enter the program based on demonstrated commitment, technical readiness, and the ability to manage established schemes.
- Rehabilitation and expansion of existing irrigation schemes only.
- Strict eligibility and readiness checks before admission.
- Clear designation of federal and state roles for implementation.
Model 1
Category 1 States
Category 1 states opt for the SPIN Model 1 approach. These states partner with the Federal Government on an existing Federal River Basin Development Authority (RBDA) scheme. The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation remains the owner, while the RBDA acts as the regulator.
Category 1 states must sign a memorandum of understanding with the RBDA overseeing the federal scheme they wish to support.
Model 2
Category 2 States
Category 2 states adopt SPIN Model 2, which centers on a state dam and a state irrigation scheme. The state ministry serves as the owner, while the State Ministry of Water Resources or Agriculture takes responsibility as regulator.
This approach gives participating states stronger ownership of the asset while maintaining a clear regulatory framework for scheme operation.
Selection and Prioritization Process
Admission to SPIN requires that eligible states demonstrate both commitment and implementation readiness. Meeting the minimum conditions and passing the prioritization criteria is mandatory for entry into the program.
- Legislation or a commitment to create public irrigation units, adopt participatory irrigation, and grant corporate status to Water User Associations (WUAs).
- A formal state resolution to participate in SPIN and secure World Bank financing through a subsidiary financing agreement.
- Budget provision for capital expenses, operations and maintenance for existing state assets, and co-financing requirements.
Table 2.2. Prioritization Criteria
| Sl. No. | Prioritization Criteria | Means of Verification |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Primary feasibility: dam with adequate filled water storage or catchment area that can be rehabilitated to irrigate at least 500 ha. | Feasibility study reports |
| 2 | Asset management: assessed technical feasibility for rehabilitation and development of storage and conveyance structures to leverage sunk cost. | Project feasibility reports |
| 3 | Potential for irrigated agriculture: command area conducive for crop husbandry, cropping intensity, and diversification. | Study reports documenting agro-climatic, land, and soil descriptions, cultivation practices, and status reports. |
| 4 | Conflicting uses: no pronounced externalities with other water uses or interstate water conflicts. | Detailed description of externalities if any. |
| 5 | Social relevance: majority small farmers and sharecroppers including women farmers expected to benefit. | Detailed statistics of farmer types and classification criteria. |
| 6 | Financial capacity: commitment for counterpart funding, awareness campaigns, and state PMU readiness until project funds are available. | Statement of the state committing budget allocation/budget statement. |
| 7 | Human resource capacity, especially technical, social, environmental, and financial management personnel. | Existing organogram showing filled positions. |
| 8 | Environmental factors: no adverse environmental impacts and capacity to implement safeguards. | Environmental assessment by the World Bank. |
| 9 | Social aspects: no major adverse social impacts or resettlement issues, and capacity to implement social safeguards. | Social assessment by the World Bank. |
| 10 | Institutional assessment: proven fiduciary capacity for financial management and procurement. | Fiduciary assessment by the FM and procurement teams of the World Bank. |
| 11 | Convergence and coordination across environment, agriculture, finance, procurement, planning, and women development units. | Statement of state directives for sub-sector convergence. |
Model 1 States
Category 1 states adopt the federal RBDA scheme-based model. Each state partners with an existing federal irrigation scheme and signs an MoU with the supervising RBDA.
| S/N | State | Name of Irrigation Scheme | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adamawa | Gerio Irrigation Scheme | View Page |
| 2 | Bauchi | Galala Irrigation | View Page |
| 3 | Benue | Katsina-Ala Irrigation | View Page |
| 4 | Borno | Alau Irrigation | View Page |
| 5 | Ebonyi | Ndieze Irrigation | View Page |
| 6 | Ekiti | Ogbese Irrigation | View Page |
| 7 | Enugu | Ada Rice Irrigation | View Page |
| 8 | Kogi | Kampe-Omi Irrigation | View Page |
| 9 | Kwara | Duku Lade Irrigation | View Page |
| 10 | Nasarawa | Doma Irrigation | View Page |
| 11 | Plateau | Longkat Irrigation | View Page |
Model 2 States
Category 2 states choose the state dam and state irrigation scheme model, with ownership and regulation managed by state agencies.
| S/N | State | Name of Irrigation Scheme | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cross-River | Bansara Irrigation Scheme | View Page |
| 2 | Gombe | Balanga Irrigation Scheme | View Page |
| 3 | Jigawa | Warwade Irrigation Scheme | View Page |
| 4 | Kaduna | Kangimi Irrigation Scheme | View Page |
| 5 | Kano | Jakara Irrigation | View Page |
| 6 | Katsina | Danja Irrigation | View Page |
| 7 | Kebbi | B/Kebbi Irrigation | View Page |
| 8 | Niger | Rabbah Irrigation | View Page |
| 9 | Sokoto | Kware Irrigation | View Page |
| 10 | Taraba | Lau Irrigation | View Page |
| 11 | Yobe | Nguru Irrigation | View Page |
| 12 | Zamfara | Natu Irrigation | View Page |
