The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to reducing sugar imports by strengthening local production under the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan.
John Enoh commended stakeholders for their roles in implementing the plan, stressing that collaboration remained key to achieving national targets.
He described the infrastructure and investments at the Dangote Sugar facility in Numan as a strong indication of commitment to the Backward Integration Programme.
However, he emphasised the need to accelerate production efforts, noting that the government is ready to address challenges such as access to affordable long-term financing.
Scaling up production, he said, would not only reduce dependence on imports but also create jobs and add value through local sugarcane processing.
In response, Olakunle Alake, Vice President of the Dangote Group, assured the government of the company’s commitment to meeting the 600,000 metric tonnes target by 2030.
He said the firm would invest further in expansion, as officials inspected the new 6,000 tonnes-per-day factory, alongside harvest fields, mills and processing units during the visit.
The initiative is part of broader reforms aimed at closing the gap between domestic sugar production and national demand while strengthening Nigeria’s industrial base.
