The Nigerian sugar sector has the potential to create hundreds of thousands of jobs and save the country billions of dollars spent on importing raw sugar, according to Kamar Bakrin, Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), reported Prnigeria.
During a courtesy visit to the Nasarawa state governor, Engr Abdullahi Sule, who also serves as the Chairman of the Forum of Governors of Sugar Producing States, Bakrin led the Council’s management team. The purpose of the visit was to seek the governor’s support in achieving the targets outlined in the National Sugar Masterplan (NSMP), particularly the Backward Integration Plan (BIP) component.
Describing Nasarawa state as pivotal to Nigeria’s aspirations in the sugar sector, Bakrin outlined key objectives, including industry development, job creation, electricity generation, ethanol production, and achieving self-sufficiency in sugar production. The NSDC boss acknowledged the state’s strategic importance, hosting numerous sugar companies with immense potential for sugar production.
Expressing the urgency of collaboration, Bakrin stated, “I prioritized this courtesy visit since my appointment for obvious reasons. Nasarawa state is hosting a lot of sugar companies, and the potential for sugar production is massive. You are also the Chairman of the Forum of Sugar Producing States, and we need your support to be able to develop this sector.”
Highlighting the economic benefits, he continued, “If we can develop the sector, it will create hundreds of thousands of well-paying jobs for our youths and also save the country billions of dollars that we currently spend on importing raw sugar. There is also the potential for ethanol for industrial use as well as bagasse for electricity generation.”
Seeking the governor’s assistance in providing suitable land for sugar investments and fostering harmonious relationships with host communities, Bakrin underlined the importance of cooperation.
Governor Sule, in response, congratulated Bakrin on his recent appointment and assured him of full support. Recalling their past collaboration on the NSMP and BIP, the governor expressed concern over the inadequate implementation of these plans and the absence of repercussions for non-compliant operators. Governor Sule also highlighted the fact that 98 percent of the country’s annual sugar consumption of 1.7 million metric tonnes is imported.
Tasking the NSDC team to work towards producing at least half of the nation’s annual sugar requirement, Governor Sule emphasised that achieving this target would result in the creation of over 200,000 direct jobs.
