Grounded in the rigorous strategic framework of the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) 2.0, the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has successfully concluded the pioneer cohort of its residential training programme.

This initiative signals a definitive push to build a world-class workforce capable of transforming the country’s industrial landscape, aligning field and factory capabilities to hit the national target of 2 million metric tonnes (MT) of domestic sugar production.

Speaking at the Nigeria Sugar Institute (NSI) campus in Ilorin, NSDC Executive Secretary/CEO Kamar Bakrin, asserted that the industry’s future hinges entirely on a new calibre of specialised professionals who can drive strict efficiency and profitability across the value chain.

Under the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) 2.0, this means executing core empirical pillars – from accelerated land preparation and advanced irrigation to high-yield seed cane production and optimised factory operations to permanently transition the Nigerian sugar sector into a highly profitable, bankable asset class.

“Neither field productivity nor factory efficiency, on its own, can move the needle. True sustainability —and the ultimate elimination of our import dependency — demands that we fuse the two. Under the performance-driven framework of NSMP 2.0, we are holding operators to strict accountability. We must develop personnel who master both leading-practice cane yields and peak extraction efficiency to unlock long-term economic viability.

“The market’s response to the maiden initiative has already shattered expectations. The overwhelming demand and deep engagement from stakeholders underscore an acute technical talent deficit that the NSDC is systematically addressing to support rapid sector expansion,” he said.

The intensive curriculum bypasses conventional, passive teaching in favour of a dynamic, experiential framework. The pioneer cohort brought together 39 professionals from June 29 to July 3, with a second cohort of 41 trainees scheduled to commence on July 13,

Following intensive field exercises, trainees returned to the lab to collaboratively dissect real-world farm challenges, diagnose operational bottlenecks, and co-create scalable solutions alongside leading industry experts.

To foster a broader perspective on legacy and modernisation, the technical tracks were paired with immersive visits to the National Museum and the Innovation Hub in Ilorin. The entire experience was anchored by NSI’s purpose-built infrastructure, utilising its 50-room residential block and dedicated collaborative spaces to spark cross-industry networking.