By Asma’u J. Abubakar
The Federal Government has tasked Dangote Sugar Refinery to achieve a production target of 600,000 metric tonnes of sugar annually by 2030 as part of efforts to boost local production and reduce dependence on imports.
The directive is in line with the government’s policy to strengthen the nation’s sugar industry and enhance self-sufficiency. The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment emphasized the need for major stakeholders in the sector to increase production capacity and support economic growth.
Dangote Sugar Refinery, one of the leading players in Nigeria’s sugar industry, has been at the forefront of backward integration programmes aimed at developing local sugar production. The company is expected to expand its operations, invest in infrastructure, and improve efficiency to meet the set target.
According to government officials, achieving the 600,000 metric tonnes target will not only reduce the country’s reliance on imported sugar but also create employment opportunities and boost rural development.
The initiative is part of broader reforms in the agricultural sector, where the government is encouraging private sector participation to drive industrial growth and ensure food security.
The Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Enoh, gave the charge during a visit to the DSR complex in Numan, Adamawa State, accompanied by the Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council, Mr Kamar Bakrin.
In a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Sunday, the minister said Nigeria’s current local sugar output falls far short of its annual consumption of about 1.8 million metric tonnes, adding that Dangote Sugar Refinery, as a leading operator in the sector, must contribute significantly to bridging the gap.
Enoh added that, “the 600,000 MT target must be delivered by DSR before 2031.”
He also commended the NSDC for its role in driving and monitoring operators under the sector’s Backward Integration Programme, noting that developments at the company’s facilities reflected strong commitment to the policy.
“The scale of infrastructure, level of investment, and degree of project advancement—especially at the new 6,000 TCD plant—observed at DSR reflect a tangible commitment to the objectives of the Backward Integration Programme (BIP),” he said.
The minister further stated, “I am indeed very happy with what I have seen today, but scaling up production to be able to meet Mr President’s expectations is very important.”
“My final comment would be to encourage you, just to let you know that my visit here is to show government’s continuous seriousness and how important government sees our ability as a country to be self-sufficient in sugar production,” he added.
With the 2030 target in view, stakeholders have expressed optimism that sustained collaboration between the government and private sector players like Dangote Sugar Refinery will significantly transform Nigeria’s sugar industry.
Nova Pulse Times 
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