Lee Group, NSDC partner to build sugar project in Taraba to boost Nigeria’s self-sufficiency
The National Sugar Development Council and Lee Group unveil plans for a major sugar project in Taraba to enhance local production.
NIGERIA – The Lee Group, in collaboration with the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), has unveiled plans to establish a multi-million-dollar sugar production facility in Taraba State, a move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s sugar self-sufficiency agenda.
During a meeting in Jalingo, Taraba’s capital, attended by Governor Agbu Kefas, representatives of the Lee Group, and NSDC officials, Kamar Bakrin, Executive Secretary of the NSDC, emphasized the significance of the partnership to Nigeria’s sugar development goals.
“Sugar is an incredibly significant socio-economic product globally, employing about 100 million people in over 120 countries,” Bakrin said. “Sugar estates are often located in rural areas, and they naturally drive local development without causing environmental degradation. In fact, sugar cultivation has a positive impact on environmental sustainability.”
He added that Taraba State had successfully met all technical and environmental suitability standards, describing it as one of the most promising investment destinations for sugar production in Nigeria.
Bakrin also praised the Lee Group, through its subsidiary GNAAL Sugar, for meeting NSDC’s financial and technical requirements as a credible investor.
Lam Wilkins, Project Director at Lee Group, highlighted Taraba’s strong agricultural potential and expressed confidence that the project would advance both state and national economic objectives.
“We are not here merely to present an idea — we are here to build a lasting partnership,” Wilkins said. “Our investment will enhance the state’s revenue base, create significant employment opportunities, stimulate local enterprise, and empower farming communities through an inclusive out-grower scheme.”
Governor Agbu Kefas reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering an investor-friendly environment, particularly in agriculture and industry.
He urged both local and foreign investors to seize emerging opportunities in sugar production, identifying Kurmi, Lau, and Ibi Local Government Areas as ideal locations for large-scale sugar cultivation and processing.
Kefas also proposed the formation of a tripartite committee comprising representatives from the Taraba State government, NSDC, and the investors to expedite project implementation.
This latest initiative follows recent efforts by NSDC to accelerate sugar production nationwide. In September, the council partnered with Niger Foods Security Systems to cultivate 50,000 hectares of sugarcane, targeting an output of 2 million tons.
Similarly, in August, the NSDC signed agreements with four operators—Brent Foods (Oyo State), Niger Foods (Niger State), Legacy Sugar (Adamawa State), and UMZA (Bauchi State)—to establish greenfield projects expected to produce a combined 400,000 tonnes annually.
According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s sugar import bill reached N2.2 trillion in the past five years, up from N516.61 billion between 2015 and 2019, despite over a decade of implementing the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP).
The NSMP, launched in 2010 and renewed in 2020, aims to eliminate sugar imports through backward integration by developing 28 sugar factories, cultivating 250,000 hectares of sugarcane, and driving private-sector investment to ensure self-sufficiency.
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