The Nigerian Minister of State for Industry, John Owan Enoh, commended ongoing reforms at the Nigeria Sugar Institute, describing them as critical to strengthening the country’s industrial capacity.
During an official visit to the Institute in Ilorin, Kwara State, the Minister praised the Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council, Kamar Bakrin, and his team for transforming the facility into a functional hub for research, training, and technical support.
“I have found the NSDC Executive Secretary to be passionate, focused, and committed to achieving the set objectives of the NSI. The policy reforms, capacity building and infrastructural upgrade that have taken place in the Institute within a very short time are quite commendable,” he said.
Enoh, however, urged sustained efforts to ensure the Institute reaches full operational capacity in line with its national mandate.
“I must however urge the Executive Secretary not to rest until this place becomes fully operational. This is because the role the Institute has to play in our drive for increased local production and industrialisation of the sugar sector is so critical,” the Minister stated.
He emphasised that the Institute holds a strategic position in Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda, particularly in developing skilled manpower, advancing research, and supporting agricultural inputs across the sugar value chain.
According to him, “as Nigeria continues to pursue industrialisation and self-sufficiency in sugar production, the Institute has a strategic responsibility to provide the required skilled manpower, research support, and agricultural inputs necessary for sustainable growth.”
The Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting both the NSDC and NSI, while calling for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to drive sustained growth in the sector.
The visit underscores the government’s broader strategy to enhance local production capacity, reduce import dependence, and build a competitive agro-industrial sector anchored on innovation and skilled expertise.