The Federal Government (FG) has launched a series of new irrigation projects across Zamfara, Kebbi, and Sokoto States, in a push to enhance food security and drive inclusive economic growth.
The projects, aimed at expanding access to irrigable farmland and improving year-round farming, are part of efforts to modernise agriculture, create jobs, and reduce poverty in Nigeria’s northern region.
Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, disclosed this during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja on Friday.
According to him, the initiative, part of a push to modernise the country’s agriculture and reduce poverty, is anchored under the Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria (SUPRIN) project.
“Supported by the World Bank, the SUPRIN program is designed to rehabilitate, upgrade, and expand existing irrigation infrastructure while encouraging private sector involvement”, he added.
Among the key irrigation projects nearing completion is the Midu-Ninmapa Irrigation Project in Sokoto State, along with other ongoing schemes like the Tada-Shonga Irrigation Project in Kwara State, the Middle-Ogun Irrigation Project in Oyo State, and the Ngoa-Ogun Irrigation Project in Ogun State.
“These projects are being complemented by numerous micro-irrigation projects scattered across several rural communities, designed to generate employment, improve food supply, and promote inclusive development”, he mentioned.
The Minister also emphasized that over 395,000 hectares of land have already been made available for irrigation nationwide, out of which 154,000 hectares have been developed, engaging more than 1.6 million farmers.
These efforts, according to him, are being carried out by the country’s river basin development authorities, with the goal of making agriculture more resilient to climate shocks and accessible to more Nigerians.
The government is also actively inviting private sector investors to take advantage of these irrigable lands, providing access to land while encouraging them to bring in financing and expertise to scale food production.
Beyond irrigation, the government is investing in several dam projects with irrigation components, including the Dasin Hausawa Dam in Adamawa, Kashimbila Dam in Taraba, Irawo Dam in Oyo, and Mambilla Dam in Plateau, among others.
Utsev further disclosed that many of these dams will serve dual purposes, boosting irrigation and water supply while also supporting hydropower generation.
To mitigate the recurrent problem of flooding, which affects agricultural communities, especially in the Benue trough, the Federal Government is upgrading key infrastructure like the Alau Dam in Borno, which will now serve both irrigation and power supply purposes, while also acting as a buffer to absorb floodwaters from upstream dams like the Lado Dam in Cameroon.
In line with these efforts, FG has also launched a revised Clean Nigeria Campaign Implementation Strategy, aimed at improving sanitation in farming and rural communities.
“So far, over 159 sanitation facilities have been constructed, with 38 more in the pipeline, alongside efforts to make Nigeria open defecation-free by 2030”, Utsev said.
The minister revealed that only 135 out of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas have achieved Open Defecation-Free (ODF) status.
He emphasised that the new strategic plan outlines a comprehensive framework to boost access to toilets across the country, strengthen hygiene advocacy, and ultimately improve public health, safety, and dignity.
According to the minister, the campaign to end open defecation, launched in 2019, has led to the construction of over 11.58 million household toilets, with more under development.
“Over 30,000 communities have also been certified as ODF”, he noted.
However, he admitted that the 2025 target is unlikely to be met, stressing the need to revise strategies and intensify awareness campaigns, particularly at sub-national levels.
