By Ladi Gbegi
Executive Secretary and CEO of the National Sugar Development Council ,NSDC, Mr. Kamar Bakrin, has designated 2025 as the year for maximum acceleration in sugar project development across Nigeria.
Mr. Bakrin made this announcement during a meeting on Friday with representatives from Utham Sucrotech International, based in India, Niger Food Security Systems & Logistics Ltd, and American West African Agro ,AWAA.
The focus of the meeting was to explore Utham’s role in project development, particularly in relation to the Greenfield project that AWAA is establishing in Niger State.
Utham will be providing key services for this project. Mr. Sanjiv Gulati, the Global Business Development Leader for Utham, highlighted the company’s extensive experience in establishing sugar projects across India, Europe, and Africa.
He also emphasized Utham’s capabilities in equipment fabrication for sugar production, reporting a notable 13% sugar recovery rate.
Gulati assured that Utham’s involvement in Nigeria would significantly contribute to the growth of the sugar sector.
Additionally, Mr. Flavio Castellari, a financial expert with Utham, provided insights into Brazil’s sugar industry and proposed potential funding strategies that Nigeria could adopt to enhance its sugar sector.
Executive Chairman of Niger Foods, Mr. Sammy Adigun, discussed financing options for a 100,000-hectare sugar project in Niger State, mentioning the possibility of securing sovereign and corporate guarantees. He also touched on the company’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility ,CSR, in the region.
In response, the NSDC boss assured the investors of the Council’s full support in fast-tracking sugar project development, with a particular focus on yield improvement in sugar estates.
He also inquired about Utham’s sugar recovery rate in relation to its work at the Dangote Sugar Refinery ,DSR, and was informed that the rate currently stands at 12.3%.
Accompanying the NSDC Executive Secretary were key members of the Council, including the Director of Strategy and Performance Management, Ms. Edirin Akemu; Senior Adviser to the ES, Mr. Teslim Bello; Acting Director of Project Development and Investment Promotion ,PDIP, Mr. Balarebe Ladan; and Head of Project Development and Support Division, Mr. John Adaga.
The meeting reaffirmed NSDC’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s sugar industry and advancing its development through strategic partnerships.
