The Niger State Government, through its investment arm, Niger Foods, has signed a groundbreaking agreement with four major firms to establish four mega sugar mills within the state.
The partnership, formalized in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), involves Uttam Sucrotech International, Rite Foods, Legacy Sugar Company, and Niger Foods, marking a strategic move to reduce Nigeria’s heavy reliance on imported sugar.
Niger State’s sugar mills when completed will also help to reshape not only the local economy but also Nigeria’s stance on import dependency and environmental sustainability, the state government said.
During the signing ceremony held at the Government House in Minna, the Chairman of Niger Foods, Sammy Adigun, outlined the critical goals of the project.
According to him, the initiative seeks to explore multiple by-products, including refined sugar, bagasse, ethanol, and power, all while generating over 100 megawatts of electricity through waste-to-energy technology.
“The six sugar mills will be entirely self-sustaining, requiring no power from the national grid,” Adigun noted.
Adigun emphasized that the project addresses Nigeria’s significant deficit in sugar production, with the country currently importing 97% of its sugar.
He said, “Niger State is determined to solve this problem. Under the directive of the governor, we have brought together a team of partners to revolutionize local sugar production.”
Four of the six sugar mills will be located between Shiroro and Minna, covering a vast land area of 148,000 hectares.
With the backing of the National Sovereign Investment Authority, an investment of ₦300 billion has been approved to harness water from the Shiroro Dam, creating the ideal conditions for large-scale sugar production.
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, expressed confidence in the project’s potential to transform the local economy and improve the livelihoods of its citizens.
He assured investors that the state government remains fully committed to its role in the agreement.
The Director of Program Development and Investment Promotion at the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Balarabe Ladan, praised the initiative, emphasizing that Nigeria needs 250,000 hectares of land to meet the demand for two million tonnes of sugar annually.
He called on other states to emulate Niger’s bold move.
Sanjiv Gulati, representing Uttam Sucrotech International, highlighted the potential for Niger State to become a leader in the sugarcane value chain.
“With the resources and technology we are bringing in, Niger State can produce 1.6 million tonnes of sugar and 145,000 litres of ethanol annually,” he said.
He added that the project also promises numerous environmental benefits, including the production of ethanol, which can be used as a clean cooking fuel to reduce smoke-related illnesses and deforestation.
Additionally, the initiative will support intercropping, boosting farmers’ incomes while promoting green energy solutions.
