NSDC intensifies oversight to boost local sugar production as Nigeria reaffirms self-sufficiency goals
Nigeria’s sugar council moves to tackle smuggling, port delays, and community challenges affecting backward integration targets.
NIGERIA – The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating barriers to local sugar production and ensuring full implementation of Nigeria’s National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP).
The assurance was given by the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Council, Kamar Bakrin, during a strategic meeting with the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Owen Enoh, and major Backward Integration Programme (BIP) operators in Abuja.
Bakrin emphasized that the Council, under his leadership, has increased direct engagement with operators, combining physical and virtual consultations to set clear targets and track progress.
He noted that performance monitoring has been expanded beyond the traditional oversight roles of the Sugar Industry Monitoring Group.
Key concerns raised by BIP operators were addressed at the meeting. These included policy loopholes in the Free Trade Zone (FTZ) regime, delayed clearance of equipment at Nigerian ports, persistent sugar smuggling, and resistance from host communities to land access for plantation expansion.
Bakrin disclosed that issues related to the FTZ regime are being addressed through the ongoing amendment of the NSDC Act by the National Assembly, which involves collaborative input from stakeholders and legislative committees.
He added that delays in equipment clearance are being resolved in coordination with the Nigeria Customs Service.
“Smuggling does not significantly impact the market dynamics, but we have still engaged security agencies to address the issue,” Bakrin stated.
On community resistance, he highlighted successful interventions, including recent resolutions in Numan, Adamawa State, ensuring unimpeded land access for BIP operations.
Minister John Enoh emphasized that going forward, raw sugar import quotas will be strictly tied to each operator’s performance in line with the NSMP.
He noted that his ministry would take a more active role in monitoring BIP activities and ensuring compliance with policy objectives.
Enoh reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to achieving self-sufficiency in sugar production, job creation, and foreign exchange savings under the National Sugar Master Plan, which was introduced in 2012 and is currently in its second implementation phase.
He further warned that importation of refined sugar by any participating company would be deducted from their annual quota allocation, adding that any infractions would attract necessary penalties.
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