NSDC Launches Elite Training Programme To Drive Nigeria’s Sugar Self-Sufficiency

The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has launched an elite residential training programme under the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) 2.0 to build a world-class workforce capable of driving Nigeria’s sugar self-sufficiency by aligning field and factory capabilities towards achieving the national target of two million metric tonnes (MT) of domestic sugar production.

The strategic blueprint for Nigeria’s industrial transformation has officially shifted from policy to aggressive execution, with the NSDC successfully concluding the pioneer cohort of the landmark programme.

Speaking at the Nigeria Sugar Institute (NSI) campus in Ilorin, NSDC Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, Kamar Bakrin, said the future of the industry hinges entirely on a new calibre of specialised professionals who can drive strict efficiency and profitability across the value chain.

He said that under the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) 2.0, this means executing core empirical pillars, from accelerated land preparation and advanced irrigation to high-yield seed cane production and optimised factory operations, to permanently transition the Nigerian sugar sector into a highly profitable, bankable asset class.

“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.

“The market’s response to the maiden initiative has already shattered 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,” Bakrin said.

The intensive curriculum bypasses conventional, passive teaching in favour of a dynamic, experiential framework.

The pioneer cohort brought together 39 professionals from June 29 to July 3, 2026, while a second cohort of 41 trainees is scheduled to commence on July 13, 2026.

Participants underwent rigorous training spanning sugarcane biology, variety selection, water management and yield optimisation.

The programme’s distinct competitive edge lies in its tactical “Cane Clinics.”

Following intensive field exercises, trainees returned to the laboratory to collaboratively dissect real-world farm challenges, diagnose operational bottlenecks and co-create scalable solutions alongside leading industry experts.

To foster a broader perspective on legacy and modernisation, the technical tracks were paired with immersive visits to the National Museum and the Innovation Hub in Ilorin.

The entire experience was anchored by the Nigeria Sugar Institute’s purpose-built infrastructure, utilising its 50-room residential block and dedicated collaborative spaces to spark cross-industry networking.

In what the Council described as a powerful display of sectoral unity, the programme brought together professionals from major industry players, reflecting the operator-specific accountability championed under NSMP 2.0.

The cohorts drew talent directly from the frontlines of Dangote’s Adamawa Sugar Company, BUA’s Lafiagi Sugar Company, Sunti Golden Sugar Estate, Illaj Sugar, Legacy Sugar, Progressive Farmers’ Groups and the NSDC.

The Council said that by embedding world-class technical capabilities directly into these organisations, it is ensuring that Nigeria’s journey toward sugar self-sufficiency is structured, performance-backed and permanent.