Sugar council launches capacity-building programme to equip industry professionals with modern skills as Nigeria intensifies efforts to boost local production and reduce sugar imports.
The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has unveiled a new set of specialised training cohorts as part of a strategic initiative to strengthen Nigeria’s sugar industry and accelerate the country’s ambition of producing two million metric tonnes of sugar annually.
The programme is designed to develop the technical capacity of professionals across the sugar value chain, equipping them with modern knowledge and practical skills needed to increase productivity, improve efficiency and support the Federal Government’s drive towards self-sufficiency in sugar production.
The initiative forms part of the council’s broader strategy to deepen local participation in the sugar industry while reducing the country’s dependence on imported refined sugar. Nigeria currently spends substantial foreign exchange on sugar imports, making the expansion of domestic production a key priority under the country’s industrialisation and agricultural transformation agenda.
According to the NSDC, achieving the two million metric tonnes production target will require not only increased investment in plantations and processing facilities but also a highly skilled workforce capable of adopting modern agricultural and industrial practices.
The newly introduced training cohorts will provide participants with practical knowledge in sugarcane cultivation, plantation management, irrigation systems, mechanised farming, factory operations, quality control, environmental sustainability and value chain management. The programme will also expose trainees to international best practices and emerging technologies shaping the global sugar industry.
The council believes that strengthening human capital is essential to improving productivity across the sector. By investing in workforce development, Nigeria can build the expertise required to maximise output, reduce production costs and improve the competitiveness of locally produced sugar.
The training initiative is expected to benefit a broad range of stakeholders, including farmers, plantation managers, factory technicians, agricultural extension officers, researchers, entrepreneurs and young professionals seeking careers in the sugar industry.
Officials explained that developing local expertise would reduce reliance on foreign technical personnel while creating employment opportunities for Nigerians, particularly in rural communities where large-scale sugar projects are located.
The programme also aligns with the objectives of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan, which seeks to transform the country into a major producer of sugar through increased private sector investment, expansion of sugar estates and the establishment of integrated sugar production facilities.
Industry stakeholders have consistently identified inadequate technical capacity as one of the major constraints limiting the growth of Nigeria’s sugar sector. While the country possesses suitable land and favourable climatic conditions for sugarcane cultivation, challenges such as low productivity, outdated farming techniques and limited skilled manpower have slowed efforts to achieve self-sufficiency.
The NSDC believes that targeted training and continuous professional development will help address these challenges by improving operational efficiency throughout the sugar value chain.
Beyond increasing sugar production, the initiative is expected to generate wider economic benefits by stimulating investment in agriculture, agro-processing and manufacturing. Expansion of the sugar industry has the potential to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, strengthen rural economies and reduce pressure on the nation’s foreign exchange reserves through lower import bills.
The development is also expected to support backward integration by encouraging greater collaboration between sugar producers, outgrower farmers, equipment suppliers and research institutions. Such partnerships are considered essential for building a sustainable and globally competitive sugar industry.
Experts note that achieving the two million metric tonnes production target will require sustained investment in irrigation infrastructure, improved sugarcane varieties, mechanisation, financing and transport networks, alongside continued policy support from the government.
They also emphasise the importance of developing a skilled workforce capable of managing modern sugar production systems and adapting to technological advancements that improve productivity and environmental sustainability.
As Nigeria seeks to diversify its economy and strengthen domestic manufacturing, the sugar industry remains one of the priority sectors identified for growth. Increased local production is expected to reduce import dependence, conserve foreign exchange, improve food security and support industrial development through the supply of raw materials for food and beverage manufacturers.
With the launch of the new training cohorts, the National Sugar Development Council has taken another important step towards building the human capacity required to transform Nigeria into a leading sugar-producing nation. If effectively implemented alongside ongoing investments in production infrastructure, the initiative could play a significant role in achieving the country’s long-term sugar development goals while contributing to broader economic growth and agricultural industrialisation.
SOURCE: DAILY TRUST
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