Minister Calls for Expansion of Sugar Production to 300,000 Metric Tonnes by 2030
In a strategic move to boost Nigeria's domestic sugar industry, the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, has issued a directive to Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC, urging the company to significantly increase the annual production capacity of its subsidiary, the Golden Sugar Company (GSC), to 300,000 metric tonnes by the year 2030. This charge was delivered during the minister's recent inspection visit to the GSC Complex located in Sunti, Niger state, as part of a broader initiative to accelerate the nation's journey towards self-sufficiency in sugar production.
Government's Push for Industrial Growth and Self-Sufficiency
Accompanied by the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Kamar Bakrin, Minister Enoh emphasized the critical need for enhanced local production to bridge the substantial gap between current output and national consumption. Nigeria currently consumes approximately 1.8 million metric tonnes of sugar annually, a figure that far exceeds domestic production capabilities. The minister highlighted that the GSC's targeted contribution of 300,000 metric tonnes by 2030 is essential to reducing this dependency on imports and fostering economic resilience.
This visit marks the third in a series of strategic inspections of sugar projects across the country, following earlier assessments of the Lafiagi Sugar Company (LASUCO) owned by BUA Foods in Kwara state and the Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR) Complex. These efforts are aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's directive to relevant officials to expedite progress towards achieving national self-sufficiency in sugar production, underscoring the government's commitment to industrial development and agricultural transformation.
Praise for Progress and Call for Accountability
During the tour of the GSC Complex, Minister Enoh expressed admiration for the extensive activities underway, noting that they represent significant value addition and reflect successful implementation of the government's backward integration programme (BIP). He pointed out that the facility employs up to 4,500 workers at its peak, thereby contributing to job creation and economic empowerment, which are key objectives of government policies.
However, the minister also acknowledged that current production levels still fall short of policy expectations, emphasizing the need for accelerated efforts. He reaffirmed the government's unwavering support for industrialists, including the provision of fiscal incentives and funding, while stressing the importance of accountability and timely delivery of results. "We are not there yet, but there is commitment; there is push, and the government itself is serious about industrialisation," Enoh stated, highlighting the collaborative effort required to meet set targets.
Industry Leaders Respond with Ambitious Plans
In response, the Group Chief Executive Officer of GSC, Boye Olusanya, provided an update on the company's current operations and future aspirations. He disclosed that GSC currently cultivates about 6,600 hectares of land, producing approximately 20,000 metric tonnes of sugar annually. With ambitious plans in place, the company aims to scale up production to 290,000 metric tonnes by the end of 2030, aligning closely with the minister's directive and demonstrating a strong commitment to national goals.
NSDC boss Kamar Bakrin also spoke during the visit, acknowledging the impressive strides made by GSC while emphasizing the long journey ahead. He called for relentless improvement and mutual accountability to ensure cost-effective and timely achievement of targets. "The commitment of government to this is beyond question. The support that government has provided and will continue to provide is beyond question and the requirement for accountability is going to remain the same," Bakrin asserted, reinforcing the council's dedication to supporting industry players like GSC.
Commissioning of Sugar Training School Highlights Visit
The highlight of the ministerial visit was the commissioning of the Sugar Training School, a facility built by GSC and located within the complex. This initiative underscores the company's investment in skills development and capacity building, which are crucial for sustaining growth and innovation in the sugar sector. The delegation, which included key figures such as Director of Strategy and Stakeholder Relations at Flour Mills, Sadiq Usman, and GSC General Manager Anlo Du Pisani, undertook a comprehensive farm and factory tour to assess progress firsthand.
This event underscores the collaborative efforts between government and private sector stakeholders to drive industrialisation, enhance local production, and achieve economic self-sufficiency in Nigeria's sugar industry, with a clear focus on meeting the 300,000 metric tonnes target by 2030.
