Niger State has taken a major step toward Nigeria’s sugar self-sufficiency drive. Following a high-level meeting at the Government House in Minna, the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) and the Lee Group announced plans to establish a large-scale sugar production project in the state.
During the meeting, Governor Umar Bago assured the delegation of full government support and immediate land allocation for the multi-million-dollar project. Furthermore, he welcomed NSDC officials and Lee Group representatives, declaring that Niger State is ready for serious agro-industrial investors.
“Niger State is open to serious investors. We have the land, water, and political will to support projects that will grow our economy and create jobs. The government is ready to provide land for this sugar project in any part of the state that the investor considers suitable,” Bago said.
He also emphasized that agriculture remains central to the state’s economic strategy and pledged close collaboration to ensure a smooth and enabling investment climate.
Driving Nigeria’s Sugar Self-Sufficiency Agenda
The NSDC delegation was led by Executive Secretary and CEO, Kamar Bakrin, who described the engagement as part of ongoing efforts to attract long-term, credible investors capable of transforming Nigeria’s sugar value chain.
According to Bakrin, the Council carefully matches reputable industrial partners with states that possess the natural and infrastructural capacity to sustain integrated sugar estates.
“The Council is deliberate about the kind of investors we bring to our states. Lee Group is a serious conglomerate with a long-standing track record in sugar and industrial development. This engagement is about building a sustainable, long-term partnership that will benefit the state and Nigeria as a whole,” he said.
He added that NSDC actively facilitates partnerships between investors and state governments. In addition, the council helps unlock access to land, infrastructure, and institutional support required for large-scale sugar projects.
A recent national study identified roughly 1.2 million hectares of land suitable for sugar development across Nigeria. Notably, Niger State ranks among 11 states with the most viable land for sugarcane cultivation and large sugar investments.
Niger State’s Strategic Advantage
Niger is Nigeria’s largest state by landmass, covering about 76,363 square kilometers, nearly 10 percent of the country’s total area. Its vast arable land and abundant water resources make it ideal for sugarcane cultivation and integrated agro-processing.
Moreover, the state already hosts Golden Sugar Company in Sunti, Mokwa Local Government Area, owned by Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc. This reinforces Niger’s reputation as an emerging sugar-producing corridor.
Lee Group Project Director, Lam Wing Ki Wilkins, said the company’s interest in Niger is based on long-term industrial goals and the state’s natural advantages.
“Lee Group has been in the industrial sector for more than 60 years, and we understand that sugar production is a long-term investment. Our interest in Niger State is based on its natural advantages, especially land and water resources, and we are prepared to work patiently with the state government and NSDC to develop a sustainable sugar project,” he said.
He also stressed the company’s commitment to sustainability, local value creation, and alignment with Nigeria’s broader sugar development objectives.
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The Niger engagement follows a similar visit to Taraba State in November 2025, where NSDC facilitated discussions between the Lee Group and the state government. There, Taraba’s governor reportedly provided land and other support for a sugar project in Jalingo.
This development highlights increasing competition among states to attract agro-industrial capital as Nigeria intensifies implementation of its sugar master plan.
If the project succeeds, it will create jobs, expand rural infrastructure, deepen backward integration, and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on sugar imports.
For Niger State, the investment is more than an industrial project. It represents a strategic effort to become a key player in Nigeria’s push for agricultural industrialisation and foreign exchange conservation.
Furthermore, as Nigeria seeks to diversify its economy, the NSDC–Lee Group partnership could mark another milestone in repositioning agriculture as a driver of sustainable economic growth.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
