He noted that as the country intensifies efforts to reduce dependence on imported sugar, 10 proposed greenfield estates, expected to produce 835,000 metric tonnes of sugar annually at full capacity, remained central to the ambitious plan to lift national output beyond two million tonnes.
Bakrin spoke while briefing journalists in Abuja over the weekend, adding that the council was moving from policy commitments towards measurable implementation, with estate performance to be monitored through physical inspections and satellite technology.
The initiative targets a market with annual domestic demand of 1.8 million tonnes, underscoring the scale of investment and production needed to achieve self-sufficiency, cut sugar imports, conserve foreign exchange and create jobs.
The NSDC boss further outlined a three-pronged strategy built around improving existing estates, expanding established operators and attracting new investors into greenfield projects.
The programme’s success, however, will depend on translating investment commitments into functioning factories, reliable cane supplies and commercially viable operations, he added.
Greenfield projects advance towards implementation
Bakrin said the pipeline of 10 greenfield projects had progressed beyond the conceptual stage, with promoters identified for all the proposed estates and 143,478 hectares of land secured.
The projects envisage combined milling capacity of 55,500 tonnes of cane daily, while independent technical reviews are underway to ensure they meet bankability requirements.
The council expects the 10 estates to contribute 835,000 tonnes of sugar annually when fully operational, complementing production from existing estates and expansion by incumbent operators.
According to him, credible Nigerian business groups outside the sugar industry had expressed interest in investing, alongside international companies, including some already operating in the country.
According to him, some prospective investors had acquired land and commenced feasibility studies, with the council hopeful that groundbreaking on some projects could begin before the end of the year.
He said the projects were distributed across eight states, while as many as 14 states had climatic conditions potentially suitable for commercial sugarcane cultivation.
Adequate water supply and sufficient rain-free days are critical to commercial production, particularly for the development of sucrose in sugarcane.
Meanwhile, the 10-year programme requires $7.1 billion in investment, comprising $5 billion in debt financing and $2.1 billion in equity.
The proposed debt structure includes approximately $3 billion from export credit agencies, $1.75 billion from development finance institutions and $250 million from local development finance institutions.
Existing operators to deliver bulk of production
Beyond the greenfield pipeline, the programme seeks to optimise existing estates to produce approximately 100,000 tonnes annually, while incumbent operators are expected to contribute 1.22 million tonnes.
Together, the three interventions are projected to generate more than two million tonnes of sugar annually across 13 projects, exceeding current domestic demand.
