FG, NSDC Unveil Multi-Million-Dollar Sugar Project in Taraba to Drive Nigeria’s Self-Sufficiency

|By Babatunji Wusu

The Federal Government has announced plans to establish a multi-million-dollar sugar production project in Taraba State, a move set to boost local sugar output and advance Nigeria’s goal of achieving self-sufficiency in the sector.

Leading the initiative, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Kamar Bakrin, visited Jalingo with a delegation that included officials of Lee Group. The team met with Governor Agbu Kefas to secure the Taraba State Government’s full backing for the investment.

Bakrin described the project as a “game-changing investment” that will expand Nigeria’s sugar production capacity, slash dependence on imports, and spur economic growth across the region. He emphasized that the NSDC will support investors through funding assistance, feasibility studies, technical training, research, and access to land.

“Sugar remains a major socio-economic commodity globally, supporting nearly 100 million jobs across more than 120 countries,” Bakrin noted. “Sugar estates not only create jobs but also drive rural development and promote environmental sustainability.”

According to him, Taraba State passed all technical and environmental suitability assessments, making it an ideal hub for large-scale sugar production. He also confirmed that Lee Group, through its subsidiary GNAAL Sugar, had met all regulatory and financial requirements as a credible investor.

Governor Agbu Kefas, in response, pledged the state government’s full support, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to an investment-friendly environment. He described Taraba as rich in natural resources with vast, fertile land ideal for agricultural ventures.

Kefas added that the state had overcome its previous security challenges and now offers a stable, safe, and attractive climate for investors. He urged local and foreign stakeholders to seize the emerging opportunities in Taraba’s growing agricultural and industrial sectors—particularly sugar production.