Nigeria’s sugar master plan attracted N250bn investment in seven years ― NSDC boss

The Executive Secretary, National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Mr Zacch Adedeji, has disclosed that Nigerian Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) attracted N250 billion worth of investment into the sugar sector in seven years.

He said available records show that Nigeria is recording steady and appreciable progress in the implementation of its policy roadmap for the sugar sector as captured in the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP), a 10-year blueprint designed to revitalise the sector and make Nigeria a net exporter of the commodity.

According to a statement from Ahmed Wiziri, “the NSMP is a 10-year ambitious and well-thought-out policy framework for the sector which seeks to bring about a complete overhaul of the sector to enable Nigeria become self-sufficient in sugar production, create direct and indirect jobs, generate electricity, become a notable global sugar producer as well as produce ethanol for industrial use and utilisation.

“Recall that the Federal Executive Council had at its 37th meeting held on September 19, 2012, approved the NSMP for implementation and adoption as a government strategy roadmap for the development of the sugar sub-sector. Actual implementation began in 2013.

“Seven (7) years into the policy and 3 more years to go, the sector has attracted over N250 billion worth of investments through its Backward Integration Programme, even as more investors have expressed their willingness to commit their resources to the sector,” he stated.

Adedeji explained that “only recently a new investor, KIA Group Africa completed the process of acquiring the defunct Nigeria Sugar Company (NISUCO) in Bacita, Kwara state and has since commenced work.

“The KIA Group now joins existing industry players like the Dangote Group, BUA Group and the Flour Mills to drive the BIP component of the NSMP.”

He said, the new owner has set its eyes on producing at least 300,000 metric tonnes of sugarcane, refining an estimated 204,000 metric tonnes of the sweet commodity, and generating N46 billion revenue by 2027.

The Executive Secretary added that a workforce of about 20,000 employees would be engaged to drive the company towards optimum production and ensure economic growth of the country.

“Also, another major player in the industry, Flour Mills Limited recently signed a multi-millionaire agreement with the Nasarawa state government to build a factory in Toto LGA of the state.

“The new project is in addition to the company’s N50 billion Golden Sugar estate in Sunti Niger state which was commissioned in 2018 by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He restated government’s readiness to build a globally competitive sugar industry that would boost local economy, provide jobs for Nigeria’s teeming youth population and position Nigeria as a net exporter of the commodity.

“We have done pretty well in the area of refining imported raw sugar. In fact, we’ve surpassed our target in that aspect. Our next move is how best to replicate this success in our field operations.

“The Backward Integration Programme is actually the engine room of the NSMP. We are keen about local production of the commodity to meet local demands and possible export in the years ahead,” he said.

The ES stated further that government’s plan for the sector is to guarantee a huge return on investments for all players, attain self-sufficiency, create jobs, generate electricity and derive other benefits of the sugarcane value chain as contained in the country’s Sugar Master Plan.

“Without doubts, the sector has, even amidst natural and man-made challenges recorded some milestones, especially as it relates to attracting genuine and profitable investments to the once moribund sugar industry, our refining capacity and the springing up of new sugar factories.

“We are not going to rest on our oars as an agency of government. We are quite determined and hopeful in our mission to turnaround the fortunes of the sector for the overall benefit of our dear country and citizens,” he reaffirmed.

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Nigeria’s sugar master plan attracted N250bn investment in seven years ― NSDC boss