FG Targets 300,000 Metric Tonnes Sugar Production by 2030

The Federal Government has set a target to produce 300,000 metric tonnes of sugar locally by 2030 as part of efforts to boost domestic production and reduce import dependence.

The Minister of State for Industry, John Owan-Enoh, disclosed this on Monday during a one-day working visit to the Sunti Golden Sugar Estate.

Owan-Enoh said the target would be achieved through the Backward Integration Policy (BIP) of the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside other incentives designed to support manufacturers and scale up local sugar production.

He explained that the policy aims to meet the growing sugar demand of Nigerians by encouraging local production, adding that the government is offering incentives such as duty-free importation of machinery and equipment for production companies.

According to the minister, although the BIP has started yielding results, it has yet to fully meet expectations.

“I think that in this facility, like the other two that I have visited, this reflects what a combination of government policy and private sector engagement can achieve.

“It demonstrates that there is a viable industry, with employment opportunities. At its peak, this facility employs about 4,500 workers,” he said.

Owan-Enoh expressed satisfaction with the production process and the capacity of local industries, noting, however, that some gaps remain.

“I continue to be impressed by the production chain—from the farm to the factory—showing the country’s capacity and the ability of investors to deliver results,” he added.

He stressed that despite progress, production levels remain below expectations, while reaffirming the sector’s ambition to significantly increase output by 2030.

“While this reflects implementation of the BIP, it still falls short of expectations. However, there is a clear ambition to reach 300,000 metric tonnes by 2030,” he said.

The minister identified limited land under sugarcane cultivation as the sector’s major challenge, emphasising the need to expand cultivated areas to achieve self-sufficiency.

He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to industrialisation through sustained support for investors, including fiscal incentives and funding initiatives.

“We are not there yet, but there is commitment and strong government support for industrialisation,” he noted.

Earlier, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Sunti Golden Sugar Estate, Boye Olusanya, said the company currently cultivates about 6,600 hectares of land, producing nearly 20,000 tonnes of sugar.

Olusanya said the company aims to scale up production significantly, targeting about 290,000 tonnes by 2031.

He, however, called for policy consistency and improved access to funding to achieve the set goals.