NSDC links sugar industry growth to jobs and security
The Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council, Kamar Bakrin, says a fully developed sugar industry could create up to one million jobs across Nigeria.
Bakrin spoke during a strategic meeting between the NSDC and the Nigeria Customs Service at the Customs headquarters in Abuja.
According to a statement released on Sunday, he said the sector could generate 250,000 direct jobs and another 750,000 indirect jobs across the sugar value chain in about 12 states.
“If Nigeria develops a proper sugar industry, we can convert over one billion dollars spent on imports into jobs, security, and industrial growth,” Bakrin said.
He explained that most of the jobs would emerge in rural communities, where unemployment remains high.
Sugar estates can reduce insecurity, says Bakrin
Bakrin linked large-scale sugar investments to improved security across the country.
He said sugar estates would provide employment opportunities for young people and reduce their exposure to criminal activities.
“When sugar projects exist, security challenges reduce because many youths gain employment,” he stated.
He also revealed that sugar estates could generate electricity independently and contribute excess power to the national grid.
“A sugar estate consumes about half of the energy it produces. The remaining power can support the national grid,” he added.
Bakrin said the sector could contribute up to 400 megawatts of electricity, enough to power a modern city.
Customs backs sugar industry expansion
Bakrin disclosed that Nigeria has more than one million hectares of land suitable for sugar cultivation.
He noted that only 200,000 hectares would be required to achieve local sugar sufficiency.
He stressed that investors needed stable policies and transparent enforcement before committing billions of dollars to sugar projects.
Bakrin described the Customs Service as a key institution for enforcing import regulations, quota administration, and anti-smuggling operations under the National Sugar Master Plan II.
Responding, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, pledged support for the sugar sector transformation programme.
He said the industry’s potential for job creation, rural development, and electricity generation aligned with Nigeria’s economic priorities.
“The opportunities in the sugar industry directly support national economic growth,” Adeniyi said.
Both agencies agreed to strengthen cooperation on import monitoring, quota enforcement, market stability, fiscal incentives, and anti-smuggling measures.
Government plans regular implementation reviews
Adeniyi also called for periodic meetings between the NSDC and Customs to monitor progress under the National Sugar Master Plan II.
He said both agencies would continue working together to improve policy implementation and support the growth of the local sugar industry.
