FG INAUGURATES GOVERNING BOARD OF THE NSDC.

FG INAUGURATES GOVERNING BOARD OF THE NSDC

The Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, today, Thursday, the 8th of May, 2025, inaugurated members of the Governing Board for the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) at the Bank of Industry Complex in Abuja.

In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, emphasised the significance of the Board in driving President Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on industrialisation and economic resilience.

Delivering his inaugural speech, Senator Enoh highlighted the immense potential of the sugar industry to contribute to President Tinubu’s ambitious vision of achieving a $1 trillion economy. He noted that the industry's extensive value chain presents opportunities to create jobs, enhance the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and promote rural development.

However, the Honourable Minister expressed concern that, despite preferential financing, quotas, and foreign exchange (FX) access granted to the sector, there has been no corresponding impact on the Backward Integration Program (BIP) aimed at boosting local sugar production and enhancing export capabilities.

Senator Enoh charged the newly inaugurated Board to swiftly take action to fully implement the BIP within three months, emphasising that non-compliance by the sector’s players would result in severe consequences, including quota withdrawal, sanctions, and exclusion from future government initiatives. He further stressed the necessity for the NSDC to conduct periodic audits of brownfield projects to identify viable sites for sugarcane cultivation, provide robust technical support through the newly restructured Nigeria Sugar Institute for seed multiplication, and ensure quarterly progress reviews alongside enforcement mechanisms.

The Honourable Minister underscored the importance of onboarding only credible investors with proven capacity into the greenfield projects, reinforcing that a strict performance monitoring and sanctions framework must be adhered to. "We must rigorously evaluate the outcomes of the first phase, identifying areas of success and pinpointing systemic inefficiencies that hinder progress," Enoh stated.

In response, the newly appointed Chairman of the NSDC, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for entrusting him with such an esteemed position. He extended appreciation to the Honourable Minister, the Permanent Secretary, and fellow Board members for the privilege of working together toward the development of Nigeria’s sugar sector.

Senator Basiru acknowledged the weight of responsibility placed on the Board in meeting the expectations tied to the $1 trillion economy target. He emphasised the need to adopt an inward-looking approach, ensuring systemic improvement and enhanced engagement in developing Nigeria’s sugar industry. He further outlined the importance of capacity-building efforts to foster the creation of new greenfield projects while ensuring optimal productivity in existing ones.

Additionally, the Chairman stressed the necessity of human capital development, genuine investment, and reinvestment strategies that prioritise companies' contributions to the sector in exchange for government incentives. He reiterated the importance of scaling up local production to meet and exceed national demand, thereby positioning Nigeria as a key player in sugar exportation rather than remaining reliant on imports.

Assuring the President and Minister of State for Industry of the Board’s unwavering dedication, Senator Basiru pledged that within three months, the industry would witness a significant transformation and experience a quantum leap in productivity for the greater benefit of the Nigerian economy.

Inaugurating the board, Senator Enoh charged them with the mandate to forge a new narrative for Nigeria's sugar industry—one built on execution, accountability, and undeniable success.

The newly inaugurated Board Members include Mrs Florence Oyakirome, Mr Telta David, Engr Bello Kwalli, Comptroller Kamal Mohammed, HRH Mohammed Kawu (Represented), Engr Ayodele Musuibau Abiove, Mr Adeyemi Folorunsho, Mr Olakunte Alake, Mr Omoboyede Olusanya etc.

8/5/2025

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