Nigeria Aims for 400,000 Metric Tonnes of Sugar Annually

Nigeria has taken a significant step toward reducing its dependency on imported sugar. In a bold move to boost local production and develop the country’s agricultural sector, the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has entered into major agreements with four local operators to establish sugar estates across different regions of the country. These deals are expected to contribute a combined annual output of 400,000 metric tonnes, marking a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s drive for self-sufficiency in sugar production.

The announcement came from the NSDC’s Executive Secretary, Mr. Kamar Bakrin, who addressed the media on Monday. He explained that the council signed separate agreements with Brent Sugar in Oyo State, Niger Foods in Niger State, Legacy Sugar in Adamawa State, and UMZA in Bauchi State. Each of these companies will be responsible for developing sugar estates capable of producing 100,000 metric tonnes annually.

This strategy is more than just about increasing production. According to Bakrin, the initiative is part of a broader vision to cut down Nigeria’s reliance on sugar imports and reduce the massive amount of foreign exchange currently spent on bringing in refined sugar from abroad. In recent years, Nigeria has faced mounting pressure to strengthen its local industries, and the sugar sector is a key area that has long needed reform and investment.

One of the most remarkable features of the initiative is its geographic spread. The sugar estate developments are deliberately positioned across various regions of the country—from the Southwest to the Northeast—reflecting a commitment to equitable development. This approach not only allows the projects to benefit from the diverse climatic and agricultural conditions of different regions, but it also ensures that the economic benefits are more evenly distributed. From rural job creation to infrastructure development, communities across the four states are expected to feel the positive impact of these investments.

The agreements were formalized at the NSDC’s headquarters in Abuja. Bakrin emphasized that this marks a major scale-up of the council’s ambitions. Under the terms of the agreement, the NSDC will play an active role in supporting the project implementation process. This includes providing customized development assistance, facilitating access to critical services, and working closely with the operators to ensure that the sugar estates become commercially viable in the shortest possible time.

According to Bakrin, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of rapid growth for Nigeria’s sugar sector. He pointed out that a mix of favorable global commodity trends and supportive government policies has created an ideal environment for investing in agriculture. These sugar projects, he said, are coming at a time when Nigeria is determined to turn policy into tangible results. In his words, the timing is not accidental—it’s strategic.

The new sugar estates are expected to do more than just produce sugar. They are poised to become economic hubs in their host states, generating thousands of jobs directly and indirectly. Local economies will benefit from increased commercial activity, including transportation, construction, and processing industries. The development of these estates will also stimulate rural infrastructure, from roads to energy and irrigation, creating a ripple effect of growth.

These efforts are not happening in isolation. The NSDC’s recent agreements build on a series of partnerships with foreign investors, showing that Nigeria’s sugar industry is starting to attract serious international interest. In April, for instance, Nigeria secured a major investment through a partnership with Chinese conglomerate SINOMACH. The deal, which is valued at one billion dollars, was signed as part of a broader cooperation between Nigeria and China under the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership initiative led by President Bola Tinubu.

That partnership involves the development of a large-scale sugarcane cultivation and processing project. SINOMACH is expected to build a sugar processing plant and a sugarcane plantation with an initial annual capacity of 100,000 metric tonnes. The long-term goal is to scale this up to one million metric tonnes annually. According to Bakrin, the deal includes engineering, procurement, and construction support, along with financing mechanisms to help establish up to five sugar estates across Nigeria.

This kind of foreign involvement is essential not only because of the financial investment but also because of the technical expertise and global market access that firms like SINOMACH can bring. Bakrin expressed optimism that such partnerships will significantly accelerate the development of Nigeria’s sugar industry. He also pointed out that if these projects are well executed, they could make Nigeria a key sugar supplier on the African continent, especially under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Bakrin concluded by stressing the importance of consistent support and effective execution. He believes that if all stakeholders—including government, private investors, and local communities—remain committed, the projects will contribute significantly to the country’s broader goal of import substitution. This, in turn, would strengthen the economy by reducing dependence on foreign goods and bolstering domestic production.

Ultimately, these new sugar estate agreements represent more than just an increase in production figures. They reflect a shift in how Nigeria is approaching agricultural development—more strategic, more inclusive, and more focused on long-term sustainability. For a country that has struggled with food and commodity import bills for decades, this is a welcome change, and if successful, it could set the stage for similar breakthroughs in other sectors of the economy.