Nigeria could save approximately $1 billion in foreign exchange annually and create 110,000 direct jobs by achieving self-sufficiency in sugar production, the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has said.
The council’s Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Kamar Bakrin, disclosed the projections while speaking at the Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, as the government intensifies efforts to reduce dependence on imported sugar and expand domestic manufacturing.
Nigeria consumes approximately 1.7 million metric tonnes of sugar annually, while domestic production was estimated at 105,000 tonnes during the 2025/2026 marketing year. The gap has left the country heavily reliant on imported supplies.
Under the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan 2.0, the council aims to increase local production to approximately two million metric tonnes annually, with investment in sugarcane cultivation, processing facilities and supporting infrastructure.
Bakrin said existing producers had committed to expanding annual output to 1.22 million tonnes by 2030, while new projects were expected to contribute an additional 830,000 tonnes. Together, these projects could provide annual production capacity of approximately 2.05 million tonnes.
The council expects increased domestic production to create employment opportunities in rural communities, support farmers and reduce pressure on foreign exchange reserves.
However, the projected output depends on investments being completed and production commitments translating into actual commercial supply. High production costs, infrastructure shortages and implementation challenges remain significant obstacles.
If successfully implemented, the strategy could strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural value chain, improve local industrial supply and create new opportunities for farmers and businesses linked to sugar processing.
Leave a comment