The Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Enoh, has challenged Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc to increase the annual production capacity of Golden Sugar Company (GSC) to 300,000 metric tonnes by 2030. During a strategic inspection of the GSC complex in Sunti, Niger State, the Minister emphasized that Nigeria’s current local production lags significantly behind the annual consumption of 1.8 million metric tonnes. This directive is part of the Federal Government’s accelerated drive to achieve sugar self-sufficiency and reduce the heavy fiscal burden of sugar imports.
The Sunti project is a centerpiece of the government’s Backward Integration Program (BIP), which aims to transform Nigeria from a consumer to a producer of essential commodities. With 4,500 workers employed at peak capacity, the facility demonstrates the potential for large-scale agricultural projects to drive job creation and rural development. GSC’s plan to scale from its current 20,000 metric tonnes to nearly 300,000 metric tonnes will require significant capital investment and infrastructural expansion, supported by government fiscal incentives and funding efforts.
Achieving these targets is vital for Nigeria’s foreign exchange stability, as localized production will conserve the hard currency currently spent on raw sugar imports. The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to holding industry players accountable for results. As the GSC expands its cultivation from 6,600 hectares, the success of this project will serve as a litmus test for Nigeria’s ability to achieve industrialization through disciplined agricultural value-chain development.
