Taraba Emerges as Prime Destination as NSDC, NGF Prioritise Sugar for Industrial Growth

Taraba State has been identified as one of Nigeria's most viable destinations for large-scale sugar production as the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) partners the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) to accelerate industrial development across the states.

At a strategic engagement with the NGF, the Executive Secretary of the NSDC, Mr. Kamar Bakrin, unveiled the Council's plan to position sugar as a major driver of industrialisation, rural development and job creation, urging governors of sugarcane-viable states to aggressively embrace sugar project development.

Bakrin listed Taraba among 11 states with proven fertile land and optimal conditions for profitable sugarcane cultivation, alongside Oyo, Kwara, Niger, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa and Adamawa, describing the states as critical to Nigeria's journey towards sugar self-sufficiency.

According to him, recent macroeconomic shifts have significantly improved the competitiveness of local sugar production, making states like Taraba even more attractive to investors.

"While global sugar prices have remained relatively stable in dollar terms, exchange rate movements have made imports far more expensive. This has strengthened the commercial viability of locally produced sugar, whose inputs are largely naira-denominated," Bakrin explained.

He disclosed that Nigeria has approximately 1.2 million hectares of prime land suitable for large-scale sugarcane cultivation, far above the 200,000 hectares required to achieve national self-sufficiency. He noted that Taraba's vast arable land, water resources and labour availability place the state in a strong position to host major sugar estates and processing facilities.

"The availability of land, water, labour and policy incentives positions Nigeria — and states like Taraba — favourably for large-scale sugar investments," he said.

Bakrin revealed that Nigeria's sugar industry is currently valued at $2 billion, with the potential to expand to $7 billion across Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). He added that the market for sugar by-products alone is worth about $10 billion in Nigeria, offering additional revenue streams for host states.

Emphasising community benefits, the NSDC boss said sugar projects do not displace local populations but rather integrate them through out-grower schemes, employment opportunities and shared value creation.

"Sugarcane projects empower host communities, promote inclusive development and support environmental sustainability," he stated.

He cited a model sugar project producing 100,000 metric tonnesannually, requiring an estimated $250 million investment, with an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of about 24 per cent, as evidence of the sector's strong commercial appeal. Such projects, he added, also generate ethanol and bio-electricity, further boosting profitability and sustainability.

In his remarks, the Director-General of the NGF, Dr. AbdulateefShittu, noted that many state governments, including sugar-viable states like Taraba, are already engaged or keen to engage in sugar-related investments covering land development, agricultural schemes and agro-industrial projects.

He stressed that unlocking the full potential of the sector requires effective coordination, credible investment frameworks and strong alignment between federal policies and state development priorities.

Dr. Shittu pledged the NGF Secretariat's commitment to ensuring that state development strategies increasingly prioritisesugar projects based on their capacity to drive rural development, create jobs and stimulate local economies.

The NGF further agreed to include sugar projects as priority beneficiaries in its engagements with development partners within and outside Nigeria. The Forum also endorsed a formal partnership with the NSDC to support states in preparing investor-ready sugar projects, facilitate structured engagement between governments and investors, and improve coordination around land access, infrastructure provision and incentive frameworks.

For Taraba State, the partnership signals a major opportunity to leverage its vast agricultural potential to attract large-scale investment, deepen industrialisation and unlock sustainable economic growth.