Through the implementation of the Sugar Masterplan, Nigeria has enough capacity to export sugar to other countries, the National Sugar Development Council has said.
The exportation of sugar, according to the Council will boost the foreign exchange earnings of the country and boost the level of economic development.
The Backward Integration Programme designed for the nation’s sugar industry, which is a major component of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan is vigorously being pursued by the Council under the leadership of the Executive Secretary, Mr Zacch Adedeji.
Four licensed sugar producers in Nigeria refine more than what is consumed in the country annually but more investors are still being sought in the sector to boost local production.
The NSDC has also assured investors in the sector of government’s support, in terms of policy and technical assistance.
The NSDC Boss said Nigeria has done well in the refining of raw sugar, adding that before fbe Masterplan, Nigerians were importing refined sugar into the country thus losing huge foreign exchange during the process.
He said, “Before the Sugar Master Plan, what normally happens is to import refined sugar into the country. But since 2013, we have stopped the importation of refined sugar.
“Subsequently, the sugar companies focused on refining, so, the capacity all have doubled, to 3.5m metric tons, our consumption, which means we have enough capacity to export outside Nigeria.”
Adedeji described the sugar sector as a goldmine that holds numerous potentials and opportunities for Nigeria and Nigerians.
“It is a sector that has provided direct and indirect jobs for thousands of our citizens across disciplines and professions. We are all concerned about the need to provide job opportunities for our people, especially our youths.
“This is why the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is committed to revamping the sugar industry to enable it absorb our citizens and contribute meaningful to the economy and the country in general,” he added.