The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) and the Lee Group have taken a significant step towards the successful take-off of a sugar production site in Taraba state.
The Executive Secretary/CEO of NSDC, Kamar Bakrin, led a high-powered delegation made up of the Council’s officials and Lee Group Management team to Jalingo, the Taraba state capital, to seek the support, cooperation and collaboration of Governor Agbu Kefas and the state government in establishing a multi-million-dollar sugar project in the state.
The NSDC boss informed the governor and other officials present at the meeting that he led the Lee Group to the state to explore an opportunity for a major sugar investment whose success is crucial to Nigeria’s quest for self-sufficiency in production.
He explained that the NSDC’s core mandate includes developing capacity across the sector through training, extension services, and sugarcane research, while also supporting investors in financing, feasibility studies, and land access for sugar projects.
“Sugar is an incredibly significant socio-economic product globally, employing about 100 million people in over 120 countries. Sugar estates are often located in rural areas, and they naturally drive local development without causing environmental degradation. In fact, sugar cultivation contributes positively to environmental sustainability,” the NSDC boss said.
He disclosed that a comprehensive national study conducted by the Council identified about 1.2 million hectares of land across the country as suitable for sugar development, adding that Taraba ranks among the most strategically positioned.
“Taraba state has passed all our technical and environmental suitability criteria with flying colours. We consider the state as one of the most promising locations for sugar investment in Nigeria. The Lee Group, through its subsidiary GNAAL Sugar, has also met our requirements as a credible investor with both financial strength and technical expertise,” he noted.
Also speaking, the Project Director of Lee Group, Lam Wing Ki Wilkins, informed the governor of the group’s desire to set up a multi-million-dollar sugar project in Taraba.
He said the state possessed “immense potential for agriculture and industrial growth,” noting that the proposed sugar project would significantly advance both local and national economic objectives.
“We are not here merely to present an idea — we are here to build a lasting partnership. Our investment will enhance the state’s revenue base, create significant employment opportunities, stimulate local enterprise, and empower farming communities through an inclusive out-grower scheme,” he said.
He affirmed that the Lee Group has operated in Nigeria for more than six decades, with an established reputation for excellence in manufacturing, training, and agriculture.
