By Abubakar Yunusa
The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has launched a technical training programme aimed at developing the skilled workforce.
The training is aimed at achieving Nigeria’s target of producing 2 million metric tonnes of sugar locally under the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) 2.0.
NSDC said the first cohort of the residential programme trained 39 professionals at the Nigeria Sugar Institute (NSI) in Ilorin, Kwara state, between June 29 and July 3, while a second cohort of 41 participants is scheduled to commence on July 13.
According to a statement on Monday, participants were drawn from major operators in the sugar industry, including Dangote Sugar’s Adamawa Sugar Company, BUA’s Lafiagi Sugar Company, Sunti Golden Sugar Estate, Illaj Sugar, Legacy Sugar, progressive farmers’ groups and the NSDC.
The programme covered sugarcane biology, variety selection, water management, irrigation and yield optimisation, alongside practical ‘cane clinics,’ where participants analysed operational challenges and developed solutions with industry experts.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Kamar Bakrin, executive secretary and chief executive officer (CEO) of the NSDC, said the industry requires professionals with expertise in both sugarcane cultivation and factory operations to achieve sustainable growth.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Bakrin said the response to the maiden edition reflected a significant demand for technical capacity across the sector, adding that the initiative is intended to support the implementation of the sugar master plan and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported sugar.
