Nigeria is concentrating on annual sugar production of greater than 2 million metric tonnes through 13 present and proposed sugar projects throughout the nation.
The (*13*) Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Kamar Bakrin, disclosed this at a information convention organised by the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN) in Abuja.
Bakrin stated the projects comprise three present operators and 10 proposed new sugar estates throughout eight states, with the mixed capability anticipated to exceed the nation’s annual sugar consumption of about 1.8 million metric tonnes.
He added that Nigeria’s two working sugar mills produced about 27,000 tonnes of sugar within the earlier season, whereas greater than 97% of the nation’s sugar consumption was met through refining imported uncooked sugar.
Existing operators account for 1.2 million tonnes
According to Bakrin, the three present operators are concentrating on mixed annual production of 1.2 million metric tonnes, whereas the ten proposed projects are anticipated to contribute one other 835,000 tonnes at full capability.
- “Together, if you look at it, we are talking about 13 projects, the three incumbents plus 10 new projects. They will take Nigeria past the two million metric tonnes that we are talking about,” he stated.
The council has additionally validated 1.2 million hectares of land thought of appropriate for sugar production, in contrast with the estimated 250,000 hectares required for Nigeria to realize self-sufficiency.
Bakrin stated the proposed estates would produce sugar, ethanol and electrical energy to diversify income streams and enhance the industrial viability of the projects.
Outgrower programme targets 11,000 hectares
The NSDC can also be concentrating on 11,000 hectares of farmer-grown sugarcane underneath its Sugarcane Outgrower Development Programme, which is designed to assist production round present sugar mills.
- The programme is predicted to provide about 880,000 tonnes of sugarcane yearly, with 7,000 hectares already recognized with companions in Kwara, Niger and Adamawa states.
- Bakrin stated financial reforms had modified the price dynamics between importing sugar and producing it domestically, enhancing the economics of home production.
- According to the chief secretary, the Sugarcane Outgrower Development Programme is predicted to save lots of Nigeria about $2.1 billion yearly in international trade when absolutely carried out.
He added that the programme would create about 110,000 direct and oblique jobs and assist multiple million livelihoods throughout the sugar worth chain.
Nigeria’s push for sugar self-sufficiency
The newest production goal builds on different government-backed efforts to broaden Nigeria’s home sugar business and cut back dependence on imports.
Nairametrics additionally reported in August 2025 that the(*2*) NSDC had signed agreements with 4 operators to develop sugar estates with a mixed projected annual production capability of 400,000 metric tonnes.
