Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Finance, Honourable Saidu Abdul, has revealed that Nigeria has the potential to generate $1 billion annually from local sugar production.
He also disclosed that, rather than being a big global producer of sugar, the country spent over ₦2.7 trillion on sugar imports between 2012 and 2022.
Honourable Abdul stated these in Abuja on Monday while speaking at the 2024 Annual Summit of the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASGOC), an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The summit was organised by the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) branch of SSASCGOC, with the theme “Labour Unions: The Voice of the Employees in Policy Development and Productivity Growth.”
The House Committee Deputy Chairman called for urgent action by the country to tap into the vast potentials in sugar production as a means to boosting the national economy.
He said the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) Master Plan was targeted at cultivating 250,000 hectares of land, noting that it is a goal that is achievable by Niger State alone.
Hon. Abdul also stressed the importance of periodic progress assessments, collaboration between lawmakers and technocrats, import substitution policies and supporting local industries.
He cited as an eye-opener his recent visit to Brazil where he witnessed the thriving sugar economy of the South American country.
According to him, the sugar industry in Brazil is generating more than the entire budget of Nigeria. He said the country can replicate the Brazilian sugar production to generate more revenue.
The federal lawmaker, however, said he was not unaware of the peculiar challenges facing the sugar industry in Nigeria, including inadequate infrastructure, limited funding and inefficient policies.
To address the identified challenges, he proposed investment in infrastructure development, provision of incentives for investors and review of policies on sugar production.
Abdul pledged support for initiatives that can drive economic growth, including collective action. “We must seize opportunities, work together and make life better for Nigerians,” he added.
In his welcome address, Executive Secretary of NSDC, Kamar Barkin, said the summit’s theme, which emphasises the voice of employees in policy development, growth and productivity, was timely.
He disclosed that the NSDC is currently at a critical stage in implementing Phase II of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP).
In this phase, Barkin explained that it aimed to fully develop the sugar industry, achieve self-sufficiency in production and create more jobs, especially in the rural areas.
The NSDC Executive Secretary also disclosed that the Council has declared 2025 as a year of accelerated sugar project development in the country.
Also speaking, a former vice president of SSASCGOC (NSDC branch), Sa’ad Aminu Usman, stated that the values of SSASCGOC included productivity, partnership and capacity-building.
“Productivity is key, but it requires capacity-building. The workers are critical stakeholders in economic growth, managing resources effectively,” he added.
Usman, citing personal experience, shared successes in improving revenue generation and negotiating better conditions of service.
“We increased our internally generated revenue (IGR) significantly, and our condition of service improved accordingly,” he said.
Usman urged SSASCGOC members to explore entrepreneurial ventures, utilising constitutional provisions that allowed civil servants to engage in farming, agriculture and other businesses, noting that salary income alone cannot sustain them.
Meanwhile, President of NSDC-SSASCGOC, Suleiman Mohammed Kabir, noted that the role of unions is very critical in the developing landscape of labour relations.
“We serve as the indispensable voice for our members, advocating for their rights and well-being, while striving to influence policies that shape our industry.
“Today, we will explore how unions can effectively engage in policy development processes, ensuring that the needs and aspirations of the workforce are front and centre in discussions that impact productivity and growth.
“As we dig into our discussions, let us not forget the collective power we hold. The conversations we have will shape, not only workplace policies, but also the future of the sugar sector itself.
“Our commitment to collaboration and dialogue will empower us to spearhead initiatives that drive meaningful change, enhance productivity and ultimately contribute to the overall growth of our national economy,” Kabir said.
