NSDC, Lee Group Ink Multi‑Million‑Dollar Agreement to Boost Sugar Production
The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) and Hong‑Kong‑based conglomerate, Lee Group have signed an agreement to develop a large‑scale sugar production complex in Taraba, marking a milestone in Nigeria’s push for self‑sufficiency in sugar.
A high‑level delegation led by NSDC Executive Secretary Kamar Bakrin met Governor Agbu Kefas in Jalingo to secure state support. The project, valued at several million dollars, will see Lee Group’s subsidiary GNAAL Sugar establish a modern sugarcane plantation and processing facility. The council’s research has identified 1.2 million hectares nationwide suitable for sugar cultivation, with Taraba emerging as a prime location due to its fertile soils and abundant water resources.
Governor Kefas highlighted Kurmi, Lau, and Ibi local government areas as ideal zones for the estate, promising land access, security, and infrastructure support.
The initiative aligns with the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) Phase II, which aims to reverse the country’s heavy reliance on imported sugar and generate thousands of jobs.
Bakrin emphasized the project’s development model: “We are building a lasting partnership that will enhance state revenue, create significant employment, stimulate local enterprise, and empower farming communities through an inclusive out‑grower scheme.”
He added that the council will provide technical assistance, feasibility studies, and financing support to ensure commercial viability.
Lee Group’s Project Director Lam Wing Ki Wilkins affirmed the company’s six‑decade track record in Nigeria and expressed confidence that the venture will become a benchmark for agro‑industrial development in the region.
The plant is expected to process 100,000 tonnes of sugar annually, contributing to the 400,000‑tonne national target set by the NSDC’s recent agreements with four other operators.
The agreement also underscores Nigeria’s broader strategy to attract $1 billion in sugar‑sector investments, create over 15,000 jobs, and position the country as a regional sugar hub under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
