Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has highlighted Nigeria’s heavy reliance on sugar imports, revealing that the country consumes approximately 1.4 to 1.6 metric tonnes of sugar annually, with 96% of it imported as raw sugar from Brazil.
He said the imported sugar is then refined in Nigeria’s three major refineries owned by Dangote, BUA, and Golden Penny.
Governor Sule disclosed this while hosting a delegation led by Mrs. Dede Ekoue, the Country Director of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), at the Government House in Lafia.
He emphasized the economic potential of local sugarcane production, which he believes could significantly reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported sugar.
“Today, Nigeria consumes roughly about 1.4 to 1.6 metric tonnes of sugar. This quantity of sugar, about 96%, is imported as raw sugar from Brazil and refined at our three refineries owned by Dangote, BUA, and Golden Penny,” Governor Sule stated.
The governor further argued that if Nigeria were to develop its entire sugarcane value chain domestically, it could create employment opportunities for at least 500,000 people.
“Assuming we are going to do the entire value chain in sugarcane in Nigeria for this 1.6 million metric tonnes, you will create employment opportunities for nothing less than 500,000 people,” he added.
Governor Sule called for the inclusion of sugarcane in the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), a joint initiative by IFAD and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
He stated that such an initiative would significantly reduce the country’s reliance on sugar imports and boost local agricultural production.
In response, IFAD Country Director Mrs. Dede Ekoue commended Governor Sule for his commitment to the program, particularly noting his prompt payment of counterpart funds.
She emphasized the importance of not only producing raw agricultural products but also processing them to ensure sustainability in the sector.
“We know that we attached more than 4,300 farmers. It is not only about producing raw products. It’s also about processing.
“We have been privileged to visit the processing centre, and it is also about ensuring that we promote agriculture in a way that is also sustainable,” Mrs Ekoue remarked.
The discussions between Governor Sule and the IFAD delegation underscore the critical role of agriculture in Nigeria’s economic development, particularly in reducing dependency on imports and creating job opportunities for the growing population.
Recall that BUA Foods, a leading Nigerian conglomerate, recently disclosed a substantial investment of over $200 million in its integrated sugar estate project.
The Managing Director of BUA Foods, Ayodele Abioye, revealed the details during a press briefing in Lagos.
He said the project, situated in Lafiagi, Kwara State, encompasses a sugar refinery, ethanol plant, and supporting infrastructure, aiming to reduce dependence on foreign exchange-impacted raw materials.
