By Esther Ososanya
The Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Mr. Kamar Bakrin, has announced an aggressive strategy to remove longstanding obstacles frustrating sugar self sufficiency in Nigeria.
Addressing stakeholders at a tripartite meeting involving the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and major operators of the Backward Integration Programme (BIP), Bakrin revealed that the Council is revamping oversight, enforcing accountability, and pushing for urgent reforms to rescue the industry.
The meeting, chaired by the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, provided a platform for a frank review of the sector’s performance under the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP), which aims to reduce import dependence and build sustainable local capacity.
Beyond Talk: Council Adopts Hands-On Monitoring Strategy
Mr. Bakrin stated that the NSDC has intensified its engagement with BIP operators, going beyond the routine monitoring once conducted by the Sugar Industry Monitoring Group (SIMOG). “We are now meeting with operators physically and virtually, setting targets, and holding them accountable for every milestone,” he said.
He acknowledged, however, that many operators are facing significant roadblocks. These include policy loopholes in the Free Trade Zone (FTZ) regime, delays in clearing imported equipment at ports, persistent sugar smuggling, and resistance from host communities over land access all of which have slowed BIP implementation.
Fixing the Cracks: Legal Reforms and Conflict Resolution in Motion
To address these challenges, Bakrin revealed that the NSDC is working closely with the National Assembly to amend the NSDC Act. The amendment, he said, will close regulatory loopholes and strengthen the Council’s ability to enforce the NSMP. “The loopholes that allowed exploitation under the FTZ regime are being sealed through legislative action,” he said.
He also highlighted efforts to ease equipment clearance delays through collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service and disclosed that relevant security agencies have been engaged to tackle smuggling. On land-related tensions, he said the Council had intervened in places like Numan, Adamawa State, where host community resistance has now been resolved.
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Financing the Future: Council Pushes for Sugar Development Fund
In a bid to scale production, Mr. Bakrin said the Council is designing a financing structure to support the industry. “We’re pursuing a dedicated Sugar Sector Development Fund and mechanisms that can reduce the cost of borrowing,” he explained. Special attention is also being given to reducing the cost of irrigation infrastructure, a major hurdle for sugarcane farmers.
“This isn’t about handouts,” Bakrin said. “It’s about making local production more viable and competitive, especially for existing operators who face rising costs in key input areas like water, land, and equipment.”
Time to Deliver: Operators Warned to Raise Standards or Face Sanctions
Sounding a clear warning to underperforming operators, Bakrin said the days of weak factory practices and poor agronomic standards are over. “Our operators must act now to stop the decline in output. They must also take bold steps to expand their operations or risk falling short of the NSMP targets,” he declared.
He projected that with basic improvements in farming techniques and processing methods, the country could produce up to 200,000 metric tonnes of raw sugar annually even without acquiring additional land. “That is how much we are underperforming. The potential is already there,” he added.
Local Production Is the Future: Import Profits Won’t Last Forever
Bakrin argued that while importing and refining sugar might seem easier and more profitable for now, the long-term value lies in growing and processing sugarcane locally. “It’s more work, yes but it is more rewarding. That’s where the real future of this industry lies,” he said, urging investors to shift their focus from short-term import profits to long-term industrial growth.
He called for a shift in mindset among private sector players, encouraging them to commit to Nigeria’s broader economic goals instead of leaning on the relative convenience of raw sugar importation.
Government to Link Sugar Import Quotas to Performance
In a major policy shift, Senator John Owan Enoh announced that the allocation of raw sugar import quotas will now be strictly performance-based. “You either deliver on your BIP commitments or you don’t get access to the import quota,” the Minister said.
He pledged closer collaboration between the Ministry and NSDC to monitor operator performance more rigorously and ensure that the goals of the National Sugar Master Plan are no longer delayed by poor execution or weak oversight.
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.
