The National Sugar Development Council, NSDC, has said the proposed $1 billion investment agreement between Nigeria and China is crucial for achieving self-sufficiency in sugar production. The council’s Executive Secretary, Kamar Bakrin, explained that the deal would help Nigeria reduce heavy reliance on imported sugar.
Bakrin noted that Nigeria has the land, manpower, and climate needed for large-scale sugar production but lacks sufficient investment in infrastructure and modern processing facilities. He said the partnership with China is expected to bring in technology, funding, and expertise to strengthen the local sugar value chain.
According to him, the investment will also create thousands of jobs, support farmers, and encourage industrial growth in rural areas where sugarcane can be cultivated. He added that improved local production would save foreign exchange and stabilize sugar prices in the country.
The NSDC boss stressed that sugar self-sufficiency is part of Nigeria’s broader economic diversification agenda. He expressed optimism that once the deal is fully implemented, Nigeria would not only meet local sugar demand but also position itself as a regional exporter in the long term.
