The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) says greenfield sugar projects and strategic investments are driving Nigeria’s domestic sugar production and self-sufficiency goals.
In an interview with select journalists, NSDC Executive Secretary and CEO Kamar Bakrin highlighted that recently signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with four major investors are expected to add 400,000 metric tonnes of sugar annually. These fully integrated projects combine large-scale sugarcane cultivation with modern processing facilities and are spread across the South-West, North-Central, and North-East, aiming to generate employment and infrastructure benefits locally.
Bakrin noted GNAL Sugar, promoted by the Lee Group in Taraba State, is progressing steadily. The location was chosen for its abundant land, water resources, favorable climate, and strong government support, which are critical for long-term project viability.
To address challenges such as seedcane availability, NSDC has established dedicated farms and deployed bud chip technology through the Nigeria Sugar Institute (NSI), reducing dependency on imports and accelerating planting cycles by 12 to 18 months. NSI, headquartered in Ilorin, has undergone reforms in governance, capacity-building, and laboratory protocols, positioning it as a national hub for sugar research and training.
NSDC’s Sugarcane Outgrower Development Programme (SODP) is also encouraging farmers to participate in the sugar value chain. The programme links farmers directly to licensed processors, provides access to quality inputs, and ensures guaranteed offtake, boosting productivity and confidence across the sector.
Bakrin also cited the $1 billion partnership with SINOMACH as a transformative step for Nigeria’s sugar industry. The integrated framework combines engineering, procurement, construction, and financing, enabling up to 500,000 metric tonnes of sugar annually, 75,000 hectares under cultivation, and 50,000 tonnes-per-day processing capacity. The investment is expected to reduce sugar imports, conserve foreign exchange, and create jobs across farming, processing, and logistics.
While acknowledging the scale of the initiatives, NSDC stressed that meticulous planning, phased implementation, and stakeholder alignment are ensuring projects progress according to schedule, moving Nigeria closer to long-term sugar self-sufficiency.
