The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has concluded a pioneer cohort of its residential training programme aimed at producing a world-class workforce to boost domestic sugar production to two million metric tonnes.
The initiative, anchored on the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) 2.0, marks a shift from policy formulation to implementation, with a focus on strengthening technical expertise across the sugar value chain.
Speaking at the Nigeria Sugar Institute (NSI) campus in Ilorin, Kwara State, Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the NSDC, Kamar Bakrin, said the future of the industry depends on developing a new generation of specialised professionals capable of improving efficiency and profitability.
“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.
“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”, he said.
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He said that market’s response to the maiden initiative has already exceeded expectations.
“The overwhelming demand and deep engagement from stakeholders underscore an acute technical talent deficit that the NSDC is systematically addressing to support rapid sector expansion,” he stated.
According to the Council, the programme is designed to align field and factory operations in support of Nigeria’s target of producing two million metric tonnes of sugar domestically.
The intensive curriculum adopts an experiential learning model, moving beyond conventional classroom teaching to practical and collaborative engagement.
The pioneer cohort brought together 39 professionals between June 29 and July 3, 2026, while a second batch of 41 trainees is expected to commence training on July 13, 2026.
Participants received training in sugarcane biology, variety selection, water management and yield optimisation, with the programme featuring specialised “Cane Clinics” where trainees analyse real farm challenges and develop practical solutions with industry experts.
The training also included visits to the National Museum and the Innovation Hub in Ilorin, aimed at exposing participants to broader perspectives on heritage, innovation and industrial development.
The Council said embedding world-class technical expertise within these organisations would help ensure that Nigeria’s journey toward sugar self-sufficiency remained structured, performance-driven and sustainable.
Participants were drawn from major players in the sugar industry, including Dangote’s Adamawa Sugar Company, BUA’s Lafiagi Sugar Company, Sunti Golden Sugar Estate, Illaj Sugar, Legacy Sugar, Progressive Farmers’ Groups and the NSDC.
