The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has concluded the pioneer cohort of its flagship residential training programme aimed at developing a highly skilled workforce to transform Nigeria’s sugar industry and accelerate the country’s drive toward self-sufficiency.
The programme marks a significant milestone in the implementation of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) 2.0, which targets domestic sugar production of two million metric tonnes by strengthening technical capacity across both sugarcane cultivation and factory operations.
Speaking at the Nigeria Sugar Institute (NSI) campus in Ilorin, Kwara State, the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the NSDC, Kamar Bakrin, said the future of the industry depends on producing a new generation of specialised professionals capable of driving efficiency, productivity and profitability throughout the sugar value chain.
According to a statement by the Council, the NSMP 2.0 focuses on key performance pillars, including accelerated land preparation, modern irrigation systems, high-yield seed cane production and optimised factory operations, to transform Nigeria’s sugar sector into a profitable and bankable industry.
Bakrin stressed that sustainable growth requires a seamless integration of agricultural productivity and industrial efficiency.
“Neither field productivity nor factory efficiency, on its own, can move the needle greatly. True sustainability—and the ultimate elimination of our import dependency—demands that we fuse the two.
“Under the performance-driven framework of NSMP 2.0, we are holding operators to strict accountability. We must develop personnel who master both leading-practice cane yields and peak extraction efficiency to unlock long-term economic viability,” he said.
He noted that the overwhelming response to the maiden training programme reflects a critical shortage of technical expertise in the sector, adding that the NSDC is addressing the skills gap to support the industry’s expansion.
The inaugural cohort, held from June 29 to July 3, 2026, brought together 39 professionals, while a second batch of 41 participants is scheduled to commence training on July 13.
The intensive programme combined classroom instruction with practical field exercises, covering sugarcane biology, variety selection, water management and yield optimisation.
A key feature of the training was the “Cane Clinics,” where participants analysed real-life farm challenges, identified operational bottlenecks and developed practical solutions in collaboration with industry experts.
To broaden participants’ understanding of innovation and heritage, the programme also included visits to the National Museum and the Innovation Hub in Ilorin.
Training was conducted using the Nigeria Sugar Institute’s purpose-built residential and collaborative facilities, designed to encourage networking and knowledge exchange.
The initiative also brought together professionals from across Nigeria’s major sugar operators, including Dangote’s Adamawa Sugar Company, BUA’s Lafiagi Sugar Company, Sunti Golden Sugar Estate, Illaj Sugar, Legacy Sugar, Progressive Farmers’ Groups and the NSDC.
The Council said that by embedding world-class technical expertise within key industry operators, it is laying a strong foundation for a structured, performance-driven and sustainable journey toward Nigeria’s sugar self-sufficiency.
