In a strategic move to accelerate Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in sugar production, the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has made 150,000 hectares of land available to farmers and investors across the country. The land, identified through a rigorous viability mapping exercise, is located in secure, water-rich regions with strong community backing.
Speaking at a recent industry forum, NSDC Executive Secretary, Kamar Bakrin, announced the council’s plans to roll out a large-scale outgrower initiative under the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan II (NSMP II). The program will target at least 50,000 hectares of sugarcane cultivation through partnerships with medium-scale farmers operating 50 to 200 hectares near existing sugar estates in Numan, Bacita, Sunti, and Lafiagi.
“Nigeria’s sugar market is worth over $2 billion, yet the majority of this is served by imports,” Bakrin stated. “We are positioning local farmers and investors to take advantage of this untapped potential not just in sugar, but in high-value by-products like ethanol, biogas, and animal feed, which represent a $10 billion market opportunity.”
Strategic Incentives for Investment
To attract investors and empower farmers, the NSDC is offering a comprehensive suite of incentives, including:
Access to the Nigeria Sugar Industry Development Fund (NSIDF)
Five-year tax holidays
30% tax credit on infrastructure investments
Duty-free imports of sugar processing and agricultural equipment
Facilitated land acquisition and clearing
Input and mechanization support
Technical assistance via the Nigerian Sugar Institute
Guaranteed off-take agreements with major sugar processors
These measures are part of the federal government’s broader effort to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on sugar imports, ensure food and energy security, and tap into the continent’s growing demand. With Africa projected to face a 13-million-tonne sugar deficit by 2030, NSDC sees this as a critical window for Nigeria to become a regional sugar hub.
A Call to Action
Bakrin urged farmers, agripreneurs, and agribusiness investors to seize the opportunity and collaborate with the council to transform Nigeria’s sugar industry. “This is not just about land,” he said. “It’s about unlocking wealth, creating jobs, and powering industries.”
The NSDC’s initiative is expected to create thousands of jobs, foster rural development, and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s GDP through agriculture-led industrialization.
